Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

Persistent ethno-cultural divisions, political mistrust, and insecurity continue to threaten national cohesion in Nigeria, although they are predominantly analysed through political and economic lenses, insufficient attention has been given to dramatic literature as a site for examining reconciliation and peaceful coexistence. This study investigates the representation of interethnic reconciliation as a mechanism for national stability in Sunnie Ododo'sHard Choice. Although previous studies on Hard Choice have explored themes of national unity, leadership, patriotism, and cultural pluralism, they have generally treated reconciliation as a subsidiary outcome rather than as the central mechanism through which sustainable national stability is negotiated. Consequently, the play's representation of reconciliation as a deliberate conflict-transformation strategy remains insufficiently examined. This study fills that scholarly gap by foregrounding interethnic reconciliation as the principal analytical lens through which the play's peacebuilding vision is interpreted. The study aims to demonstrate how Ododo employs intercultural relations, sacrifice, diplomacy, and communal responsibility to propose alternatives to ethnic hostility and political distrust. Guided by John Paul Lederach's Conflict Transformation Theory (1995), which advocates constructive engagement, relationship rebuilding, inclusiveness, and sustainable peace, the study adopts qualitative textual analysis to interrogate characters, actions, symbols, and ideological propositions within the play. Findings reveal that durable national stability depends less on coercive authority than on mutual recognition, dialogue, collective responsibility, and ethical leadership. The study further establishes that the play advances a humanistic vision of nationhood in which ethnic diversity becomes a resource for cooperation rather than conflict. The study suggests that literary drama offers useful insights into peacebuilding discourse, civic education, and policy reflection in plural societies. The study contributes to scholarship on literature, national politics, and security by positioning dramatic representation as a valuable framework for understanding reconciliation and sustainable national coexistence.

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