Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has raised concerns over the apparent misuse of state security resources following the widely reported use of a heavily armed convoy to escort Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a strongly worded statement, Soyinka condemned what he described as an “excessive and inappropriate deployment” of government security personnel for non-state functions.
According to Soyinka, the sight of the President’s son moving around with a convoy typical of top government officials is an abuse of privilege and sends the wrong message in a democratic society. He stressed that Seyi Tinubu holds no official public office and should not be entitled to such elaborate state-funded protection.
“This level of security escort for someone who does not hold a constitutional position is both troubling and undemocratic,” Soyinka said. “It reflects a growing culture of entitlement and impunity that must be checked before it becomes normalized.”
He further criticized the growing trend among political elites of turning state machinery into personal assets, emphasizing that Nigeria’s security resources should be focused on protecting citizens, combating insecurity, and maintaining public order, not serving private interests.
Soyinka called on the Presidency to clarify its position on the matter and urged Nigerians not to remain silent in the face of such excesses. He warned that unchecked power and privilege undermine the principles of accountability and responsible governance.
His comments have sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with many Nigerians supporting his stance and calling for more responsible use of public resources.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Presidency or Seyi Tinubu regarding the concerns raised by the Nobel Laureate.
