Dramatizing Nigeria’s Democracy, Ethnicity and Nationhood in Ola Rotimi’s “If”, A Tragedy of the Ruled

Abstract

Nigeria’s nationhood since the attainment of political independence is being interrogated. Its democratic process has been criticized for being a socializing process that failed to unite the citizenry. There is a common perception that ethnic sentiments have deeply infiltrated and polarized Nigeria’s politics. In Ola Rotimi’s “If...” the researcher argues that ethnicity is dramatised as a factor that undermines Nigeria’s march towards democratization and the much avowed nationhood. The paper juxtaposes the dramatized scenario with unfolding political developments in Nigeria under a democratizing process. It contends that a perfect electioneering process in Nigeria may have to wait until such issues of ethnic bigotry are resolved. A truly united Nigeria on the other hand could likewise depend on such ethnic structures for a stronger and united nation state. The paper concludes that ethnicity is not entirely negative to the democratic process. However, if not properly understood, it is capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic process and nationhood. In the same manner, the attempt at nation building needless would likely be jeopardized by ethnicity and primordial attachments.