CLASS STRUGGLE AND COLLAPSE OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGY IN NIGERIAN PLAYS

Abstract

The rate of political decadence in Nigeria is an aggravating situation that have plundered and pillaged the fundamental human rights of citizens. Over the years there has been a monumental impunitive looting and consistent outcry of marginalization and exploitation of the masses. These have impeded and hampered human capital development, thereby restricting people to live within the framework of constitutional provision in Nigeria. The drift in political ideology precipitated class revolt and agitation, thus, creeping into every nook and cranny of the society. The essence of this study is to galvanized the effect of a failed ideology in Nigerian political terrain and how its collapse has affected the swift flow of activities in contemporary time. Modern Nigerian playwrights have played significant role in bringing to fore the political anomalies, campaigning for radical social transformation that promulgated a society that has an absolute reflection of justice and equity without the fear of insecurity. Hence, the study used selected Nigerian plays such as Bode Sowande’s Farewell to Babylon and Esiaba Irobi’s Nwokedi as paradigms which explicated the rapid fall from glory of Nigeria in the discourse. Furthermore, the study made use of content analysis approach of qualitative research method for data collection and analysis. Finally, the researchers recommended that Nigerians should stand collectively, regardless tribes, culture and traditional background in Nigeria to fight the common enemy, in order to inject social transformation, new political ideations and have a society where fairness, equity, justice and rule of law abound, in order to solidify the foundation of a Fedral system of government where devolution of power is paramount for an inclusive government system.