2023: Prophet Odumeje decides to challenge Soyinka into a debate

Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Prophet Odumeje, has reportedly offered to take the place of Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate, in a one-on-one debate suggested by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Baba-Ahmed had made a controversial statement during an interview on Channels TV, stating that whoever swears in the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, on May 29 would “end democracy” in Nigeria.

Professor Soyinka described Baba-Ahmed’s statement as “fascistic” and challenged him to a debate.

He said in part:

“A climate of fear is being generated. The refusal to entertain corrective criticism, even differing perspectives of the same position has become a badge of honour and certificate of commitment.

What is at stake, ultimately is – Truth, and at a most elementary level of social regulation: when you are party to a conflict, you do not attempt to intimidate the arbiter, attempt to dictate the outcome, or impugn, without credible cause, his or her neutrality even before hearing has commenced. That is a ground rule of just proceeding. Short of this, Truth remains permanently elusive.

“I offer myself willing to engage Mr Datti – or any nominee of his – on its platform on this very bone of contention – one-on-one – without the malodorous intervention of media trolls, and with the same interviewer as mediator. That should be taken as a serious offer,”

In response to the novelist’s challenge, Prophet Odumeje, aka The Liquid Metal, who reportedly spoke in a video, expressed his willingness to participate in the debate.

He pointed out that neither himself nor Professor Soyinka were on the ballot, so it would be appropriate for him to take up the challenge.

The clergyman said; “The idea of seeking to debate with Datti-Ahmed who was on the ballot in the February 25 presidential election is funny.

As someone who knows how to provide some relief and who was also not on the ballot for that election, I’m the most appropriate person to debate with you. Pick a date and I will be there

The offer by Prophet Odumeje to participate in the debate adds a unique twist to the challenge proposed by Professor Soyinka, and it remains to be seen if Datti Baba-Ahmed or any other candidate will accept the invitation for a one-on-one debate.

The situation has generated buzz in Nigerian political circles, and many are curious to see how it unfolds in the coming days.