Stay With Me

Adébáyọ̀ uses the backdrop of political unrest during Ibrahim Babangida’s regime to explore and contextualize the power dynamics between deceiver and deceived in Yejide and Akin’s relationship. Appearing as a motif of political unrest throughout the novel (See: Symbols & Motifs), Babangida’s administration also reveals the turbulent history of post-independence Nigeria.

Nigeria experienced a pattern of coups and military uprisings following its 1960 independence from Great Britain. Since European powers had divided and created borders around previously unaffiliated ethnic and political groups, Nigeria lacked a centralized identity. Long-standing regional loyalties made fair political collaboration difficult. Military rule became a temporary solution to ethnic, religious, and political dissidence among groups afraid of losing sovereignty in the transition, while Nigeria’s vast regional wealth led to economically driven collusion between military agents and civilians. Patterns of coups became an accepted feature, with military rule tolerated to prevent worse forms of governance and civil war.

As a prominent Nigerian military leader, Babangida was involved in many power struggles before becoming Nigeria’s head of state in a 1985 coup. Although Babangida had played a pivotal role in the 1983 coup that instated Muhammad Buhari as head of state, his view of Buhari’s government as increasingly autocratic fed into Buhari’s growing unpopularity. Economic troubles under Buhari and his harsh treatment of dissidents helped Babangida justify his retaliatory actions against the Buhari regime and its supporters. Babangida initially declared himself president and ostensibly worked toward democracy by promising a transition to civilian rule by 1990, loosening governmental control of the press, and freeing many of the former regime’s political prisoners. However, behind the scenes, he conspired to maintain military authority.

In Stay With Me, the political backdrop showcases the civilian response to the power dynamics of the Babangida regime. Fear of violence or terror after the 1985 coup follows a honeymoon period in which Akin, Yejide, and their neighbors accept the new regime, allowing themselves to be deceived by its promises for civilian rule. Even when faced with proof of corruption, few Nigerians question the government, and the tension between hope and fear shapes social interactions.

These power dynamics are also mirrored in the deceptive and self-deceptive relationship between Yejide and Akin. Just as Babangida calls himself president and makes promises to transition the nation toward civil rule, Akin calls his impotence normal and promises children with Yejide. In both instances, they succeed only because the deceived parties go along with their stories despite clear signs of deception. Both Akin’s and Babangida’s covert actions to maintain power have far-reaching and tragic consequences, but despite the ensuing tragedies, hope prevails; in time, both the couple and Nigeria get the chance to work toward a better future.