NOBEL laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has described Nigeria's two candidates in the forthcoming presidential elections as both being problematic with one having a troubled past and the other being a troubled incumbent.

Speaking yesterday, Professor Soyinka noted that the electorate were in a dilemma as a result of the choices they have been provided with by the political parties. He described General Muhammadu Buhari, the main challenger standing under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform as the most brutal dictator after late General Sani Abacha, while President Goodluck Jonathan of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to provide leadership.

Professor Soyinka said: “There is a huge albatross hanging around the necks of the two main candidates. I can understand the dilemma which many voters have."

He faulted President Jonathan for the failure to rescue the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State in April 2014. However, Professor Soyinka, who has been at the forefront of the pro-democracy struggle in Nigeria, warned that people should be ready to go back to the trenches and stand up against misrule, whoever wins the election.

According to Professor Soyinka, while responsibility for the Boko Haram crisis rests with President Jonathan, the government cannot be held solely responsible for the entire jihadist problem as it began under previous governments. However, he blamed President Jonathan for not addressing the matter as soon as it became a serious problem.

 “What happened was a clear failure of leadership, a slow reaction and an inadequate reaction and response. However, Buhari and his partner General Tunde Idiagbon, after Sani Abacha, I think they represented the most brutal face of military dictatorship, there is no question about that.

 "However, the environment changes, circumstances change and I look at the possibility of a genuine internal transformation in some individuals. I’ve been disappointed before and we must always be ready to be disappointed again."

 Professor Soyinka added that Nigerians should be prepared to deal with any new betrayal by any ruler with the same passion and commitment as they did with Sani Abacha because the country cannot continue this cycle of repetitious evil and irresponsibility. As part of the effort to counter the jihadist threat, Professor Soyinka called for an aerial bombardment with weapons of the mind in addition to the military offensive.

He added: “All kinds of propaganda leaflets should have been raining in those areas because not all members of Boko Haram are convinced. They need to know there is an exit and the state will take care of them., then the waiverers’ minds have to be reinforced on the positive side – on the side of humanity.”

According to Professor Soyinka, the kind of propaganda being used now between the political parties, is just a fraction of what should have gone into attacking Boko Haram. He added that a lot of the electorate will be disappointed  after the elections with the reneging on electoral promises because there may not be funds to fulfil them.