By Obike Ukoh.
Prof Wole Soyinka.
(C) IMDb.
The Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka broke the news himself, that his American visa has been revoked permanently.
Though he received the letter informing him of the revocation on Thursday Oct. 23, he made the issue public on Tuesday Oct. 27.
Apparently, Soyinka was aware of the circumstances that may have led to the US action, as he titled his media parley: “Unending Saga: Idi Amin In Whiteface!’’
He said the development seemed like he was being witch-hunted because of his stand against American President Donald Trump’s election for his first tenure.
The author, poet and playwright in December 2016 tore his green card after President Donald Trump won his election for his first term in office.
The letter read in part:”Dear Mr Soyinka, this letter serves as official notification of the United States Consulate that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked pursuant to the Department of State Regulations 22 CFR 41.122 and is no longer valid for application into the United States.’’
Soyinka said that from the content of the letter, “I have no visa; I am obviously banned from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me.’’
He expressed shock over the revocation, as he has no past criminal record even felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation.
However, the The United States Embassy in Lagos, in reaction to Soyinka’s outburst, stated that visas granted by the country to foreign nationals are based on privilege, not a right.
The Consulate noted that it could not discuss the details of the particular visa for confidentiality reasons.
“Under US law, visa records are generally confidential. We will not discuss the details of this individual visa case,” the US Nigeria Mission said.
“Visas are privilege, not a right. Every country, including the United States, can determine who enters its borders. Visas may be revoked at any time, at the discretion of the US government, whenever circumstances warrant,” the Mission stressed.
Since Soyinka made the issue public, the media space have been dominated by mixed reactions.
Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, expressed disappointment over the revocation, describing it as sad.
In a post on his verified facebook, he wrote: “ Donald Trump reportedly revokes US visa, of Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka. Sad. What the US has become.’’
In the same vein, Women in Leadership and Development Initiative (WIELD-I), also decried the revocation of Soyinka’s visa, adding that it is an attempt to stifle dissent and intellectual freedom.
Comrade Amarachi Okeke, Coordinator of WIELD-I, said the decision represents “a troubling erosion of respect for dissenting voices, especially from prominent Nigerian figures.”
“ I view the revocation of Wole Soyinka’s US visa as deeply troubling and emblematic of a broader erosion of respect for dissenting voices.
“ While sovereign nations have the legal prerogative to grant or cancel visas, doing so under vague grounds of ‘additional information’ without transparency smacks of intimidation and censorship,” she said.
The group warned that the action sends a “chilling message” to Nigerian intellectuals, activists, and artists that independent thought and criticisms may attract punitive consequences.
“This action sends a chilling message not only to Soyinka, but to all Nigerian intellectuals, activists, and artists: critique and freedom of thought may have consequences,” she stated.
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), on its part, described the U.S. Government’s action, as procedural response to Soyinka symbolic tearing of a green card, as legitimate exercise of U.S. sovereignty.
National Secretary of CUPP, Peter Ameh, said the incident underscores the importance of respecting national laws and the sanctity of official documents.
“Professor Soyinka had publicly promised to tear his legally issued American green card, a gesture, while symbolic, constituted a direct challenge to the integrity of that nation’s legal documents.
“He followed through on this promise, and the subsequent procedural response by American authorities serves as a clear affirmation that no disrespect to a country’s sovereignty will be tolerated,” he said.
The coalition, however, emphasised that its position does not diminish respect and admiration for Professor Soyinka, describing him as “a global icon of intellect, courage, and moral leadership.”
It noted that the US government’s action was a “routine administrative response, consistent with international standards,” stressing that every nation has a duty to uphold the sanctity of its legal instruments.
The group also called on Nigerians to take the incident as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding national dignity.
“Similarly, CUPP will frown upon and condemn any act undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty or desecrating its official documents. The integrity of national symbols and instruments must always be protected.”
Prof. Sandra Duru, a Nigerian US-based media expert and political activist, said the
United States of America was right, to revoke Soyinka’s visa since in 2016
he tore his American green card.
“That act was not a symbol of protest. It was a public declaration of contempt.
If you tear a bridge, you cannot demand passage across it.
“You cannot tear up a nation’s symbol of trust and privilege and then expect to walk back into that same nation with entitlement.
“The American visa is not a souvenir. It’s a covenant of respect between the bearer and the State,’’ she emphasized.
Duru stressed that revoking Soyinka’s visa is not pettiness, pointing out that “you cannot mock our values and still demand our hospitality.’’
She noted that when Soyinka ripped his green card in 2016 to protest America’s political direction, “he was not just rejecting an administration. He was rejecting the sovereignty of the United States itself. Every lawful government acts to defend its dignity, its borders, and its symbols of authority.’’
She said that, no doubt, Soyinka is globally acclaimed, but stressed that “No Nobel Prize or global recognition grants anyone the right to insult a nation and still expect red-carpet treatment from it.
“America, like any great nation, must guard its honor. The revocation of Professor Soyinka’s visa is not vengeance. It is a reaffirmation that respect is mutual and that even the loudest critics must be reminded that privileges in the United States are earned, not inherited, and certainly not abused.’’
Analyst also say that Soyinka should not be overzealous to go to the United States, since he was not pressured to tear the green card in 2016.
They say that the Nigerian global figure is well known for his nationalism, and should now use it to directly talk to power in Nigeria.
They pleaded with him to use his exalted position, to stress to the authorities about deepening poverty, inflation and high level of employment in Nigeria.
They expressed the hope that the revocation would be reversed, as nobody will be in power for ever.
Obike is a retired Deputy Editor-in-Chief, NAN.
