The United States government under President Donald Trump has reportedly revoked the visa of Nobel Laureate and renowned playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka.
Soyinka made the revelation on Tuesday during a press briefing at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, where he addressed journalists on the matter.
Expressing surprise over the development, the literary icon said he was unaware of any wrongdoing that could have prompted the U.S. authorities to take such action.
“It is necessary for me to hold this conference so that people in the United States who are expecting me for this event or that event do not waste their time,” Soyinka stated.
He further disclosed that he had received a formal notification of the visa withdrawal from the U.S. Consulate, effectively preventing him from travelling to the country.
“I have no visa; I am banned, obviously, from the United States. And if you want to see me, you know where to find me,” he said.
According to Soyinka, the letter from the consulate did not specify any reason for the revocation. He, however, hinted that the move could be politically motivated.
“I’m still looking into my past history. I don’t have any past criminal record or even a felony or misdemeanour to qualify for the revocation,” he added.
