Oyinlola, speaking recently, accused the professor of carrying out a verbal attack on him on issues relating to the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU).
Reacting to this, Soyinka said Oyinlola’s remarks were outrageous claims that needed to be substantiated.
In a press statement, Soyinka spoke further: “How does one begin to slash through this thickening tissue of lies? Prince Oyinlola must be put to the strictest proof to substantiate several outrageous claims in his recent press statement.
“Failing to do so within one week from today will result in his taking his well- earned place in company of the current inmates of ‘The Republic of Liars’ – next in my series of ‘Interventions,’ a public service series published by Bookcraft, due out in the next month.”
Meanwhile, multiple reports say there have been lingering issues between both parties in recent times over the rulership of the CBCIU, an initiative supported by the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Oyinlola, in a response to the professor of literature, asked if the allegations leveled against him were misdirected or a case of transferred aggression. He also questioned Soyinka’s understanding of the issues at hand as regards the CBCIU.
He said: “Does Soyinka know that an elder in Yorubaland operates within certain ethical boundaries? Does he know that elders must never be seen playing the hen otherwise foul smell will be their companion?
Because I believe, to the best of my knowledge, that there is no personal animosity between me and Professor Soyinka, I have, in consultation with my governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made some moves to meet the professor to give him the correct information on the centre for him to be properly guided. All the moves have, sadly, been rebuffed.”
It remains to be seen what the outcome of this will be.
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