Critical Analysis of Political Films in Nollywood: 4th Republic as A Case Study

Critical Analysis of Political Films in Nollywood: 4th Republic as A Case Study

Abstract

This research was to examine a critical analysis of political films in Nollywood: 4th Republic as a case study. In an attempt to analyse Nigeria’s production of politics. Biko H. A. Ishaya directed 4th Republic is a Nigerian film that locates electoral corruption, judicial impartiality, and gender power struggles around a gubernatorial candidate, Mabel King, who fights the annulled election result. Fourth Republic is discovered to represent the Nigerian experience in the black commitment to democracy, exposing the relevance of a just judicial sector and journalism in checkmating the political class. Also, the movie look at the character Mabel King, it show the gender issues of women Nigeria politicians, call for the more women to be involved in politics and be empowered.

As a result of using bright images and colours, flash-backs, and the scenes on a court, an audience gets involved and is forced to think over the processes in a democratic state. The study shows that that movies such as 4th Republic which are classified as political films in Nollywood are not only popular for entertaining the public, but also for political activism in encouraging the public to have the right perception of civil authority and exercise their rights. By underlining the great importance of the cinema today, this research argues that Nollywood has great possibilities to change people and civil society in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Nigerian film industry, or Nollywood as it is commonly referred to have become an enabler for storytelling and the exhibition of culture. In just a few decades, Nollywood has emerged as an international phenomenon and one of the largest film industries in terms of volume. (Olukotun & Seteolu, 2001). Not only has this pot-shot entertainment sector given the amusement but also it all played a major platform in discussions related to socials, economic and political arrays. Omoera, (2010) equally asserted that political films are the most significant genre of Nollywood; they serve as a veritable visual record that provides an opportunity for Nigerians to critically examine what could have been fired events in the countries landscape during and before independence. The 4th Republic This film is a perfect case study for probing the intersection between politics, and by extension Nigerian society at large, and Nollywood.

Also, Samson & Ogwu (2014) stated that Nigerian politicians have cultivated the culture of iniquities and excessiveness since 1999 after Nigeria has been democratically returned. Such practices like the politics of godfatherism, embezzling public funds and corruption all called for rigging election in terms to manipulate state power over what the people want; evil. Political culture under tension and general violence has bequeathed a very rowdy political order characterised by gross underdevelopment, poor governance as well as enthroning an opportune inelected ersatz politicians incapable of addressing the benefits.

As one could rightly expect, the media are supposed to breathe sanity into the system. This expectation isn’t far fetch from the surveillance role of the mass media. Surveillance as a function of mass communication ascribes to the mass media, the responsibility of watch dogs of the society; that is holding the key actors in the society accountable to the people. Here, the media situate the behavior of stakeholders in the society within the framework of acceptable standard, hence those who are found wanting are exposed for a better society, (Nwabueze, 2014).

Nigerian political history has been marked by colonial rule, military coups and eventual establishment of democratic system. This tumultuous history provides a rich tapestry for political narratives in film. Political films in Nollywood frequently delve into issues of corruption, electoral fraud, governance, and the fight for democracy. These films are both reflective of pressing social problems and influential in shaping public opinion and political discourse (Jedlowski, 2013). Political themes in Nollywood are not simply entertainment; they also serve an educative function by helping viewers make sense of their political reality and encouraging citizens’ participation.

According to Falola & Heaton (2008), Nigerian politics is an important context for understanding the narratives of Nollywood’s political films. Nigeria became independent from British colonial rule in 1960, and the country witnessed several military coups and intermittent civilian rule after independence. Nigeria transitioned to a more sustained democratic government with the Fourth Republic in 1999. Nonetheless, persistent issues such as electoral violence, corruption, and political instability have continued to plague the polity.

The fourth Republic emerged as a significant era in Nigeria’s history of democracy; however, it has also been fraught with its own challenges that filmmakers like Ishaya Bako engage through their creative work. Released in 2019 and directed by Ishaya Bako, 4th Republic is a political thriller that explores the nuances of Nigeria’s electoral process. The film tells the story of Mabel King who is running for Governor but decides to challenge her party’s (and her competitor’s) decision when they declared she had lost an election plagued by violence and irregularities. Through its plotlines, 4th Republic reflects issues such as electoral impropriety, quest for justice and institutional resilience within Nigerian democracy.

Critical Analysis of Political Films in Nollywood: 4th Republic as A Case Study

The film’s release came at a crucial time, coinciding with Nigeria’s general elections in 2019. It served as a mirror to the political climate of the period, providing a fictional yet resonant depiction of the challenges faced in the pursuit of free and fair elections. 4th Republic is not merely a piece of entertainment; it is a form of political expression and activism, prompting viewers to reflect on the state of democracy in Nigeria (Adesokan, 2011). The film’s critical reception and its impact on public discourse underline its significance as a cultural artifact and a tool for political engagement.

Political films in Nigerian films, Nollywood particularly have a crucial role of raising political awareness and participation. Cued on real-life events, the films give a dramatic twist to political ideas, making them easier to understand. They also give voice to the underprivileged and offer inputs into the governance and accountability discourse in the nation. However, political films play a traditional role of documenting and analyzing important political episodes in the Nigerian political calendar. They provide an opportunity to learn about the socio-political relationships of various period in order for future generations to grapple with the social constructed reality of their nations past (Okome, 2010).

This is especially so when films like 4th Republic bring real life issues to the big screen so closely that there is almost no middle man between reality and the movie we are watching. Based on the analysis of 4th Republic, political films in Nollywood are very powerful tools of political analysis and social transformation. It provides pleasurable views which compel viewers to make social and political sense of the audience. This work aims at contributing more to the understanding of film and politics especially with exploration of the impact of Nollywood on the democracy of the nation.

Critical Analysis of Political Films in Nollywood: 4th Republic as A Case Study

1.2 Statement of the problem

Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry has evolved over the years to act crucial social, economic and political questions of the society. While political communication is widely recognized to influence the way people talk, think and reason within Nigeria and beyond, empirical research may still be limited as to how political films within Nollywood influence perception about political processes and governance. More so, while movies such as 4th Republic have drawn awareness to electoral malpractice and other democratic difficulties, there is lack of research on extent to which such films are effective in enhancing political consciousness and thereby promoting political participation among the Nigerian populace. This is due to absence of inclusive conduction of research which may has hampered ability to harness the entire benefits of Nollywood films for political awareness and advocacy.

Furthermore, the portrayal of women in politics qualitatively within Nollywood films is an issue that has not gotten nearly enough attention as it should despite offering space for exploring Nigeria’s politics through the perspective of it’s a women Governorship candidate 4th Republic does so in a way that could be more nuanced. However there is limited literature done on how such depiction affects the perception of women in politics. This is important in filling the gap with reference to the fact that research and studies on Nollywood political discourses is broad and yet the impact it has on gender and empowerments on the Nigerian politics remains unknown.

Similarly, as much as political films in Nollywood are said to mirror today’s political situations, it is equally important to determine how truthful these pictures are, how they portray the real situational view of political life among Nigerian populace. Movies like 4th Republic capture social themes of electoral malpractice, and justice, but scholar investigates how such movies inform voters’ decision in terms of politics. This study therefore seeks to fill this gap through a critical assessment of the 4th Republic in Nigeria with a view to assessing the change that this film has brought about in the public’s perception of electoral malpractices and lack of democracy in the country and as a result of this contribute to the general body of knowledge on Nollywood as a tool for political activism in cultural productions.

1.3 Research questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the researcher;

1. What role does Nollywood play in political activism and cultural production, as evidenced by 4th Republic?
2. How do the narrative and thematic elements of 4th Republic reflect Nigeria’s political climate?
3. What impact does 4th Republic have on public perceptions of electoral integrity and democratic processes in Nigeria?
4. In what ways do political films in Nollywood shape political discourse and promote civic engagement?

1.4 Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study was to carry out a critical analysis of political films in Nollywood: using 4th Republic as a case study. Specifically, the objectives of this study are;

1. to analyze the role of Nollywood in political activism and cultural production through the case study of 4th Republic.
2. to examine how the narrative and thematic elements of 4th Republic reflect Nigeria’s political climate.
3. to assess the impact of 4th Republic on public perceptions of electoral integrity and democratic processes in Nigeria.
4. to investigate the ways in which political films in Nollywood shape political discourse and promote civic engagement.

1.5 Research methodology

This study will employ a qualitative research design, utilizing both content analysis and audience reception analysis to explore the objectives. The qualitative approach is appropriate given the focus on understanding the nuanced representations and impacts of the film 4th Republic. A detailed content analysis of 4th Republic will be conducted. This involves examining the film’s narrative structure, character development, themes, dialogues, and visual style to identify how it reflects and critiques Nigeria’s political climate. Specific scenes and sequences will be analyzed to understand their portrayal of electoral processes, gender dynamics, and political activism.

1.6 Definition of terms

Film: also called movie or motion picture, is a visual art used to simulate experiences that communicate ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty or atmosphere by means of recorded or programmed moving images along with other sensory stimulations.

Nollywood: is the colloquial name given to the Nigerian film industry. Eyengho,  (2005)  defined Nollywood as ‘the totality of activities taking place in the Nigerian film industry, be it in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Itsekiri, Edo, Efik, Ijaw, Urhobo or any other of the over 300 Nigerian languages.

Themes: is a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic. It is the idea, premise, or purpose of a movie. It is the whole reason why movies are made. The theme is the heart of the movie. The theme regulates the movie. The theme is why people go to the movies.