Entertainer Charles Oputa, widely known as Charly Boy, has ignited a wave of controversy with his comments regarding Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
The remarks have stirred reactions across social media since it was made.
Charly Boy suggested that Prof Soyinka, who is 89 years old, may be showing signs of “brain deterioration.”
This followed Soyinka’s recent statement discouraging former Anambra State governor Peter Obi from pursuing the presidency in the 2027 elections.
Soyinka had said in an interview with Noble Nigeria that Obi’s failure to reign on his supporters known as Obidients attacking others with opposing views online was a pointer that he is unfit to lead a country like Nigeria.
“I hope for the sake of the nation that he doesn’t express interest in the next election because for me as a leader if there was any proof that he was unfit to lead that country, it’s in the conduct which he encouraged among his followers,” he said.
Charly Boy expressed concerns on Monday, May 27 via social media, stating that Soyinka’s family and friends are failing to protect him from being exploited by politicians.
The entertainer’s post read: “Prof. Wole Soyinka is aged over 80 years, even tending towards 90 years. For his age, some level of brain deterioration is not unexpected. His rhetoric and actions in recent times suggest deteriorating brain disease, and as such, he shouldn’t be taken too seriously.”
He further criticised Soyinka’s close circle, stating: “What we should be worried about as well-meaning Nigerians is how come his family and close friends can’t ward off agents of desperate politicians who are bent on exploiting his medical situation to their advantage, no matter how low it sinks the once-respected Nobel laureate.”
These remarks have divided public opinion, with some netizens supporting Charly Boy’s assertions while others condemn him for what they perceive as disrespect towards a revered literary figure.
