The poetics of revolution, the logic of reformism and change management in Nigeria: Sam Ukala’s two folkscripts

Abstract

Currently in Nigeria, the word ‘change’ is often times used to ridicule the optimism with which it was conceptualized during political campaigns. In its  really optimistic sense, the concept of change connotes a reversal of governance from administrative ideologies like clandestine democracy, capitalism  and revolutionism, among others, to “African socialism”, true democracy and reformism. The question now is: Since the idea of change has turned into a  mere mockery of its true self in socio-political circles, which administrative strategy can be employed to reposition it on its authentic path? In response to  this question, Sam Ukala’s folkist, revolutionary aesthetics in some of his plays ironically points at the ideology of reformism as largely appropriate for a  successful change management in Nigeria. These plays dramatize revolution in order to expose its follies and allude to the urgent need for reformism.  Backed by Reader Response theory, this paper demonstrates how Ukala, through his plays, The Placenta of Death and Iredi War suggests reformism as a  suitable ideology for change management in Nigeria.