Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has revealled his private conversations with President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar before the 2023 elections.

Speaking after a “Christmas visit” to the president’s Lagos residence on Sunday, Soyinka said he had advised Tinubu and Atiku to drop their presidential ambitions for young Nigerians.

Soyinka, however, said the duo neglected his advice.

“I came here with a seven-point agenda. And we had a very thorough discussion on those items,” Soyinka said.

“Actually, it’s an embarrassing visit because when I visited him the last time, it was to try and persuade him not to run for office. I told Atiku and himself to please leave the ground so young people could run. That’s the last time we met about five years ago.

“So I came to see how he was doing after ignoring my advice. I came to see how both he and his wife were weathering Nigeria, and to wish them a Happy Christmas,” he added.

The Nobel Laureate noted that he would reserve his assessment of Tinubu’s government till after the president’s first year in office.

“Well, you know, something you may have noticed about me is that most heads of state, when they take office, I always leave them alone for about the first year…Because they need time,” Soyinka said.

“I know when they come in, they don’t start from ground zero. They often start even lower than ground zero and they have to make up.

“So, I’m adopting the same principle this time. When you see me next year, ask the same question again and listen to my answer,” he added.