Poem and Analysis of I Wan Bi President by Ezenwa Ohaeto

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General Introduction

The poem I wan bi President is written by Ezenwa Ohaeto, a renowned Nigerian poet and scholar. He was known for his mastery of Pidgin English poetry, which made his works more accessible to the common Nigerian audience. His literary career was marked by an interest in using poetry to engage with political, social, and cultural issues. He also wrote a celebrated biography of Chinua Achebe and won multiple literary awards. EzenwaOhaeto's works often critique Nigerian society, especially themes of governance, power, and corruption.

This poem, written in Nigerian Pidgin English, reflects the sociopolitical realities of Nigeria, where political power is often associated with privilege, wealth, and impunity. It is a satirical take on leadership, portraying the extravagant lifestyle of presidents while highlighting the struggles of ordinary citizens.

The Poem

I wan bi President  A Poem by EzenwaOhaeto

 

E get one dream Wey dey worry me I don dream am tire,

If I sleep small Na di dream go come If I close eye small Na di dream go come If I siddon for chair say make I rest small Na di dream go come I think say na malaria dey come,

For night when I lie for bed When hunger dey blow me When I never see food chop When I never see water drink Na di dream go come,

E get one dream wey dey worry me Di dream bi say I wan bi President,

I never see President hungry I never see President thirsty President no go worry for road Police no go stop am for checking President no go worry for house Na government cook dey make food Na government driver dey drive motor Na him make I wan bi President President dey go where e Re President dey do wetin e like if President wan travel Na siren dey clear road param. param piroo piroo Every car go run comot for road too Na President dey pass for road,

Dem go close di road Dem go close even air too Dem go take one car carry am Dem go take another one dey follow All dem vehicle tyre dey new All dem vehicle engine dey new Di seat go clean well well Na President get country

I never see President walk ten mile If e wan go give person message, I never see President begin cry If e no see motor wey go carryam I never see President push truck From morning reach night Even if e no find ten kobo chop,

I never see President go farm With hoe wey don spoil finish De day e dey plant crop for farm Na him make I wan be President,

if you see President him servant Dem body dey fat well well if you see President him wife She go dey smile as e dey happy If you see President him children Na guard go dey follow dem Na special treatment dem go get

Na'im make I wan bi President,

President dey different different sha! Some president dem dey Wey no dey win election Some president dem dey Wey no dey lose election Some president dem dey Wey dey rule forever,

President dey different different sha! Some President dem dey Wey no dey win election Some President dem dey Wey no dey lose election Some President dem dey Wey dey rule forever,

President dey different different Some President dem dey Wey dey make ideology Dey look Like person wey no see food chop Some president dem dey Wey dey worry make dem country better You go see suffer for dem face Some President dem dey Wey dey kill person like dem bi flies If you frown face na firing squad If you say you no see food chop Na bullet you go see chop one time Some president dem dey Wey don fat like person we dey for fattening room President dey different different

If President go oversea Na for red carpet e go walk Na so so salute dem go dey make Na special aeroplane go carry am Na for best hotel e go sleep Dem fit give am special woman sef for night President fit take cocaine travel too E fit carry heroin dey go E fit bring hemp return Dem no dey search President, I wan bi President like Russia dem own If him sneeze every country go begin cry I wan be President like America dem own If him cough every country go begin weep,

I wan be President If I wan marry beautiful wife I go order make she come If I wan chop better food I go order make dem go bring am If I wan girlfriend sef Na so I go send driver for evening,

I wan bi President For work no go dey trouble me I go dey make enjoyment as I like Person go write my speech Person go drive di car I fit send person sef make e go read am,

I wan bi President If food no dey market I no worry If dem say price don rise I no go worry If salary no come on time I no go worry If petrol dey cost too much I no go worry If sanitation exercise dey I no go worry If na religion trouble dey I no go worry

I wan bi President Make people enjoy too Wetin bi federal character Every industry go dey there Wetin bi disadvantaged area Every appointment go go there Wetin bi geographical spread every promotion go bi for dem. Federal character na for person wey no get broda,

I wan bi President We dem go dey praise Every street 4 go carry my name I go rename all university for di country All di town go carry my name

'if dem publish newspaper or magazine Wey curse me even small Na bomb I go take teach dem lesson

If I dey pass for road Every person go stand dey wave

I wan bi President Make I get plenty titles Dem go call me de Excellency I go bi CornmanderinChief I fit bi Field Marshall and Admiral I go bi Lion of de Niger I go answer Grand Commander of di Nation Dem go address me as snake wey get forest,

My broda. I wan bi President Even for my Papa House

But na dream I dey dream.

Title Analysis

The title I wan bi President translates to I want to be President in Standard English. This simple yet direct phrase immediately suggests ambition, aspiration, and possibly satire. The phrase captures a common Nigerian sentiment—many people dream of power not necessarily to serve the people but to enjoy the privileges that come with political office. The title hints at the themes of power, corruption, and inequality that the poem explores.

Themes in I wan bi President by EzenwaOhaeto

The poem I wan bi President explores several important themes that reflect the sociopolitical realities of Nigeria and many other African nations. Through satire, irony, and humor, EzenwaOhaeto critiques governance, power, inequality, and corruption. Below are the major themes of the poem:

1. The Allure of Political Power

One of the central themes of the poem is the irresistible attraction of political power. The speaker constantly dreams of becoming a president, not because of a desire to serve but because of the luxurious lifestyle and privileges associated with the position.

Example:

I wan bi President… I never see President hungry, I never see President thirsty

If I wan girlfriend sef, Na so I go send driver for evening

These lines highlight how political power in Nigeria is not seen as a call to service but as an opportunity for personal comfort and wealth. The speaker longs for the easy life of a president, where hunger, suffering, and inconvenience do not exist. This reflects a common mindset where people view politics as a pathway to financial success rather than a responsibility to the people.

2. Corruption and Abuse of Power

The poem heavily critiques the corruption and impunity that characterize African leadership. Many leaders exploit their positions for personal gain, ignore the suffering of the masses, and silence opposition.

Example:

If dem publish newspaper or magazine wey curse me even small, na bomb I go take teach dem lesson

Some president dem dey wey dey kill person like dem bi flies

These lines suggest how some leaders use violence and oppression to silence criticism. The reference to bombing a newspaper that criticizes the president alludes to press censorship and dictatorship, common in many African countries where journalists are threatened or even killed for exposing corruption.

The poet also mocks electoral fraud, highlighting how some presidents never win elections yet never lose them, suggesting that elections are rigged or manipulated to maintain power.

Example:

Some president dem dey wey no dey win election, some president dem dey wey no dey lose election, some president dem dey wey dey rule forever

This theme exposes the fraudulent democratic system, where leaders stay in power indefinitely, ignoring the will of the people.

3. Social and Economic Inequality

The poet presents a sharp contrast between the privileged lives of politicians and the struggles of ordinary citizens. The speaker describes how presidents live in luxury while the masses suffer in poverty.

Examples:

When hunger dey blow me… when I never see food chop

Na government cook dey make food, Na government driver dey drive motor

Here, we see that while ordinary people struggle for food, water, and transportation, the president enjoys statesponsored privileges. This reflects the widening gap between the ruling elite and the suffering citizens.

Additionally, the poem exposes the nepotism and favoritism that define government appointments. The speaker sarcastically refers to the concept of federal character—a policy meant to ensure fair representation of different regions but often used to favor certain groups.

Example:

Wetin bi federal character? Every industry go dey there

Wetin bi disadvantaged area? Every appointment go go there

This suggests that instead of meritbased appointments, political leaders distribute positions based on personal interests, ethnicity, and favoritism, further deepening inequality.

4. The Failure of Leadership

The poem criticizes African leaders who fail to provide basic amenities for their people while enjoying foreign trips and extravagant lifestyles. The speaker notes that while citizens suffer from rising prices, unemployment, and poor infrastructure, presidents remain unbothered.

Examples:

If food no dey market, I no worry

If salary no come on time, I no go worry

If petrol dey cost too much, I no go worry

These lines highlight how leaders are disconnected from the everyday struggles of the people. They do not feel the economic hardships, since their luxury is statefunded.

The speaker also describes how presidents receive red carpet treatment abroad, enjoying respect and comfort while their people suffer back home.

Example:

If President go oversea, Na for red carpet e go walk, Na so so salute dem go dey make

This shows the hypocrisy of leadership, where African leaders are treated with dignity abroad while their people lack basic human rights at home.

5. Political Hypocrisy and Manipulation

The poet exposes the twofaced nature of politicians, who pretend to be selfless and ideological while using their positions for selfenrichment.

Examples:

Some president dem dey wey dey make ideology dey look like person wey no see food chop

Some president dem dey wey dey worry make dem country better, you go see suffer for dem face

The first line mocks leaders who pretend to be revolutionaries, acting as though they are fighting for the poor while enjoying personal wealth. The second line suggests that genuine leaders who truly care about their people suffer greatly, in contrast to corrupt leaders who live in comfort.

Additionally, the poem suggests that some presidents manipulate global politics to maintain dominance.

Example:

I wan be President like Russia dem own, if him sneeze, every country go begin cry

I wan be President like America dem own, if him cough, every country go begin weep

This references global superpowers like Russia and the USA, whose political decisions have worldwide consequences. The poet implies that African leaders also desire such power—not to help their people, but to control and intimidate others.

6. The Illusion of Power and Unfulfilled Dreams

At the end of the poem, the speaker awakens from his dream, realizing that his desire to be president is just an illusion.

Example:

My broda, I wan bi President, even for my Papa House. But na dream I dey dream.

This closing line is deeply ironic—despite his desires, he acknowledges that his dream will never become reality. This reflects a broader African reality, where the poor and marginalized can only dream of power but never attain it.

This ending also reinforces hopelessness, as the common man remains trapped in a corrupt system where leadership is inherited or force

Literary Devices

1. Repetition

The poet extensively uses repetition to emphasize his thoughts and create a rhythmic flow.

Examples:

E get one dream wey dey worry me (repeated multiple times)

President dey different different sha!

I wan bi President (recurring throughout the poem)

This repetition mimics the persistence of the speaker's dream while also reinforcing the idea that the presidency is a position of immense privilege.

2. Imagery

The poet paints vivid images of the luxurious lifestyle of a president compared to the struggles of an ordinary citizen.

Examples:

Na siren dey clear road param. param piroo piroo → This auditory imagery creates the scene of a presidential convoy where cars must give way.

I never see President push truck from morning reach night → This visual imagery contrasts the hardship of common people with the effortless life of a president.

3. Irony

The poem is filled with irony, as the speaker’s desire to be president is not based on a passion for leadership but rather on personal comfort.

Examples:

I wan bi President like Russia dem own. If him sneeze every country go begin cry.

I wan be President like America dem own. If him cough every country go begin weep.

This sarcastically portrays world leaders as powerful figures who dictate global events with mere gestures, highlighting the absurdity of power.

4. Contrast

The poem contrasts the suffering of the common man with the luxury of the president.

Examples:

When hunger dey blow me vs. Na government cook dey make food for President

If I wan chop better food, I go order make dem go bring am vs. When I never see food chop

This highlights the socioeconomic divide between the leaders and the masses.

5. Sarcasm and Satire

The entire poem is a satirical criticism of Nigerian politics.

Example:

Some president dem dey wey no dey win election, some president dem dey wey no dey lose election, some president dem dey wey dey rule forever.

This mocks leaders who rig elections or cling to power indefinitely.

6. Metaphor

The poem uses metaphors to describe power and its consequences.

Example:

Dem go address me as snake wey get forest.

This metaphor suggests cunning, dominance, and control, characteristics often associated with political leaders.

Language and Diction

The poem is written entirely in Nigerian Pidgin English, which makes it relatable and accessible to the average Nigerian reader. The use of simple, everyday language gives the poem an informal and conversational tone, making its message more impactful.

The diction is direct and blunt, mirroring how ordinary Nigerians discuss politics.

The poet also incorporates slang and street language (e.g., "Na him make I wan bi President") to enhance the satirical effect.

The use of onomatopoeia (e.g., param param piroo piroo) adds to the liveliness of the poem.

The choice of Pidgin English also serves as a social commentary, symbolizing how the marginalized class expresses itself in a country where formal English is associated with the elite.

Mood and Tone

Mood

The mood of the poem shifts between humor, frustration, and irony.

The speaker’s repeated dreaming of being president initially seems humorous, but as the poem progresses, the reader senses underlying anger and dissatisfaction with the system.

Tone

The tone is sarcastic, critical, and reflective.

While the speaker humorously dreams of becoming president, his descriptions expose the selfishness and corruption of those in power.

Context

The poem reflects Nigeria’s political landscape, where leadership is often associated with personal gain rather than national service.

Postcolonial Influence: Nigeria, like many African nations, has struggled with political instability, corruption, and leaders who cling to power.

Economic Hardship: The speaker’s emphasis on hunger and suffering reflects the reality of many Nigerians who struggle to afford basic needs while their leaders live in excess.

Military and Civilian Rule: Nigeria has had both military and civilian rulers, many of whom exhibited authoritarian tendencies. The line Some president dem dey wey no dey win election, some president dem dey wey no dey lose election points to the prevalence of rigged elections and dictatorship.

Through this satirical piece, EzenwaOhaeto critiques the way African leadership is often defined by power, privilege, and neglect of the masses.

Conclusion

I wan bi President is a brilliant satire on power and governance in Nigeria. Using repetition, irony, contrast, and humor, EzenwaOhaeto exposes the disparity between the ruling class and the common people.

While the speaker’s dream of becoming president seems lighthearted at first, it ultimately reveals the harsh realities of political greed, corruption, and inequality. The use of Pidgin English makes the poem accessible to ordinary Nigerians, reinforcing its message.

In the end, the phrase "But na dream I dey dream" serves as a powerful reality check—for many Nigerians, the dream of equality and good governance remains just that: a dream.