STYLISTIC SIMILITUDE BETWEEN ORAL PERFORMANCE AND THE NIGERIAN GRASSROOTS POLITICAL CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES

Abstract

Virtually every bit of the content and practice of oral performance in oral literature belongs to society. As the subject of oral literature depends on oral performance for its manifestation and determination, the performance almost entirely depends on the audience for the final outcome or success of the performance. This paper is premised on some observable semblances between the stylistic peculiarities of oral performance in African oral literature and the realities of political campaign strategies in the Nigerian grassroots political arena. Participants in the theatrics of these two events operate on a seemingly relative modus, albeit to achieve different objectives. In recent times, political campaigns in Nigeria have acquired and reflected some elements of oral performance. The workings of political campaigns have shifted from the activities of a few party strategists selling their manifestoes to isolated electorates. The trend now involves a large crowd of performers engaging in a series of unscripted dramatic acts. Like oral performance, political campaigners tend to make the electorates the all-important audience in the configuration. A seamless interface exists between the real actors and the audience. Although real stages still exist in some campaign arenas, the boundary between the performers and the audience has been eroding. Songs have become a dominant feature in campaign performances that no longer depend on the outlines of the campaigners but on the whims and preferences of the audience. Contents of campaign programmes come through spontaneous creativity and audience play vital roles such as moderating and contributing to the performance’s content. All these new trends are shared features of oral performance. Unfortunately, shortly after the elections, elected members of the society become isolated from the electorates. This paper thinks that electorates should take advantage of this campaign trend to enforce a broad-based accountable governance on politicians