Nigerian Nobel literature laureate and author Wole Soyinka has announced he will leave the US after the inauguration of the new president, Donald Trump, on 20 January 2017. Republican Trump defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on 8 November.
In the lead-up to the presidential election, Soyinka had already said he would tear up his green card – a permanent residence permit for the US – in case Trump won.
Come January 20, 2017; watch my WOLEXIT!, the author wrote in an email to the Abuja-based The Interview magazine on 10 November.
During the electoral campaign, Soyinka strongly criticised Trump for his controversial remarks on immigration, Muslims and his plan to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep illegal immigrants out.
Trumps Wall is already under construction. Walls are built in the mind, and Trump has erected walls, not only across the mental landscape of America, but across the global landscape, said Soyinka.
I am glad you referred to the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – that was one anniversary in reversal!
His claims came as thousands took to the streets of several cities across the US chanting not my president, not today, in protest against Trumps victory.
Both Clinton and outgoing president Barack Obama congratulated Trump. Speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, Obama said he had been heartened by a conversation with Trump after his victory and pledged to work towards a peaceful transfer of power.
