E.J Legemah

Governance, as a concept and practice, is deeply rooted in how societies organize, regulate, and administer their socio-political and economic affairs. In literature, governance has been a recurring theme, particularly in African novels, where it is often explored within the contexts of power, corruption, justice, and the impact of colonialism. Governance within literature can serve as both a reflection and critique of real-world
issues, providing readers with insights into how power is wielded and the consequences of its abuse (Abrams)

This study examines social vices in the poetry of Kola Eke’s August 1985 and other poems from a formalistic perspective, so as to show how social vices are presented in different forms. Exploring how the poet uses poetic expression, like language, stylistic
devices, structural elements to articulate, criticize these social vices prominent in Nigeria society and provoke public awareness. This study dives into the various themes, style techniques in this collection to understand its role in shaping the society and promoting social change. By focusing mainly on the collection’s formal attributes, this study seeks to show the relationship between poetic form and thematic meaning, making us understand how Eke’s work reflects societal issues.