Drama and Politics in Nigeria: A Study of Chidubem Iweka’s August Inmates and Chukwuma Anyanwu’s Another Weekend Gone

Abstract

Literature has always mirrored life and its facets. Literature strives to reconcile societal problems, including ethnic and cultural conflicts, injustice, inequality, corruption, class struggle, moral decadence, political disillusionment, eating propensity, marginalization and inequity in any given society. The literature found in Nigeria is strongly rooted in the economic and socio-political whimsies of the Nigerian society. The Nigerian writer strives to be relevant to the society of his time. Through literary writings, the playwrights under study seek avenues to bring about peaceful initiatives in their environment. The writer stands as a peacemaker, an observer and an admonisher. In this course of advocating for peaceful initiatives and good social reforms, the writer should be able to divorce all sentiments and emotional attachments from his writings. Chidubem Iweka’s August Inmates and Chukwuma Anyanwu’s Another Weekend Gone appear to be literary works of art that have their focus on peaceful resolution, corruption, class struggle, moral decadence, political disillusionment, and eating propensity in the Nigerian society. The critical theory employed in this research is sociological criticism. Through dramatic prowess and use of assertive characters, these playwrights have strived to show that in aligning drama with politics, the predominant socio-political problems of the country are brought to light and possible solutions proffered. The paper indicates the average Nigerian playwright’s interest in advocating for peace and positive transformation of his contemporary society.