Oil Economy and the Niger Delta Quest for Liberation in Ben Binebai’s Drums of The Delta

Abstract

Oil and gas flow ceaselessly in Nigeria's Niger Delta, sustaining the country’s economy. Despite the wealth these resources provide, the region has contended with marginalisation, environmental degradation, social injustice, and extreme poverty. These conditions of oppression propel and plunge the youths into a repeated cycle of revolution. Ben Binebai’s Drums of the Delta documents the oil politics in Nigeria and the Niger Delta revolutionary quest for liberation. However, because it is still assumed that facts and records about the Niger Delta sociopolitical and economic struggles are exclusive to fields other than drama, scholarly studies on Drums of the Delta are scarce regarding the politics surrounding the oil economy and the essence of the ageless Niger Delta struggle for freedom. Consequently, the play's significance as a veritable source for sustaining the existential struggles and educating audiences and readers about them is undermined. Therefore, this study interrogates oil politics in Nigeria and the Niger Delta's quest for liberation, as thematically portrayed in Drums of the Delta, using Karl Marx’s conflict theory as a theoretical anchor and drawing on literary and sociological approaches. The study finds that interest in oil wealth is the driving force behind politics in Nigeria and that the ultimate aim of the Niger Delta's struggle for liberation is to occupy a dominant position in the petro-economy. In conclusion, the play demonstrates the efficacy of drama in understanding the intrigues and dynamics of the politics and struggles characterising the Niger Delta region. The study recommends adopting docudrama, such as Drums of the Delta, to preserve history, educate readers/audiences, inspire action and solidarity, and provide a platform for the Niger Delta voice to be heard.