POLITICS AND ITS PERCEPTION IN NIGERIAN LITERATURE: A STUDY OF OLA ROTIMI’S OUR HUSBAND HAS GONE MAD AGAIN

Abstract

Politics as an activity associated with the governance of a country or a particular geographical area has been of great concern to many researchers. This is because politics, when approached positively, can lead to the growth and development of any society, while at the same time possessing the potential to stagnate and hinder development in a society where politicians handle it irresponsibly. Thus, for politics to achieve the desired success, it is pertinent that the perception of politics among those (politicians) saddled with the responsibility of governing the country be assessed. This paper examines the perception of politics through an analysis of characters involved in politics (politicians) in Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again. The paper is anchored on the Psychoanalytic theory, with particular focus on the concept of defence mechanisms. The study finds that most Nigerians, especially politicians, have a wrong perception of politics. They see politics as a means of acquiring wealth, improving one’s social status, boosting one’s ego, accumulating power and influence, and engaging in deceit. This paper is significant because it seeks to expose the mindset of the crop of politicians that emerge in Nigeria’s political space and, at the same time, convey the message that there is a need for a total overhaul of this negative mindset. The paper concludes that these wrong perceptions of politics among politicians constitute a major setback to Nigerian democracy and national development.