News Report: Nobelist Leads Nigeria's Left To Mainstream Politics

Wole Soyinka

Nigerian born 1986 Nobel Prize winner in Literature, Professor Wole Soyinka on saturday, 25th September, 2010 led a sizeable number of Nigeria's Left to mainstream politics with the launching of a new political party named Democratic Front For A Peoples Federation(DFPF).

The launch which took place at the Airport Hotel Ikeja saw Professor Soyinka emerge as the national chairman of the party, while Niger Delta activist, Ms Ankio Briggs and northern Nigeria youth leader, Mr. Yerima Shettima emerged woman leader and vice chairman respectively. Activists like Tunde Bakare, Tony Uranta, Yinka Odumakin and Joe Odumakin were also at the launch which was also the maiden convention of the party.

chidi opara reports learnt that DFPF was formed in 2002 by Wole Soyinka with late Beko Ransome-Kuti and late Chima Ubani among others. Its application for registration then was reportedly rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

Wole Soyinka have for a long time been in the lead of political agitations in Nigeria. These agitations were often viewed by observers as fighting from the periphery.

chidi opara reports was informed by a DFPF  insider during the launch that "this current move is the result of consultations within and outside the circle".