SOCIAL REALISM IN EDITI EFFIONG’S THE BLACK BOOK AND BRIGHT WONDER OBASI’S IF I AM PRESIDENT

ABSTRACT

Since the inception of Nigeria’s emerging democracy on the 29th of May 1999, the issue of political corruption has persistently plagued Nigerian politics. Hence, this study focuses on examining its causes and effects as demonstrated in Editi Effiong’s The Black Book and Bright Wonder Obasi’s If I Am President. The study discovers that Editi Effiong and Bright Wonder Obasi employ social realist elements not only to reflect social realities but also to function as a call to action for social change as well as a critique of the systems perpetuating corruption in Nigeria’s polity. The findings also reveal that certain public officials in Nigeria view government offices as a means to amass wealth for themselves and future generations. The study therefore concludes that both movies are tools used to critique the corrupt world of Nigerian politics as well as a call for change.