Analysis of "Disgrace" by Sam Omatseve

Structural elements
Paragraphing
Although the article comprises twelve paragraphs, these can be subgrouped into two sections: what was
and what is. Where the initial nine paragraphs recount the details of the saga that the author views as a
show of shame, the last three paragraphs pass judgment on the prevailing state of affairs or explains
why the writer sees this scenario as disgraceful. This structure is clearly reflected in the use of the simple
past tense in the first nine paragraphs and the simple present tense as the language of the last three
paragraphs.
despite these two broad sub-sections, the article can be divided into begining, middle and end. Since the
write-up is a political satire, the author prefaces his discussion with a short opening paragraph of 4
sentences in which he provides a synopsis of the subject: an assessment of guilt regarding two parallel
erring parties, both culpable but one outdoing the other. Their identities are not disclosed yet, they are
merely referred to "one" and "the other". But the opening paragraph clearly shows that an imbalance
exists between the two in terms of power, because despite being both "sinners", there is "inequity of
iniquity" between the two parties.
Having placed the issue in context, the author in the second paragraph unveils the identities of the
"sinners" in the saga, the Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi on one hand and the Jonathan
administration on the other. This paragraph sheds more light on the details of subject in question: the
barrage of accusations and counter accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement exchanged
by both parties,but focuses mostly on the misdeeds of Sanusi. The paragraph starts the numbering of
Sanusi's "sins". First and most serious of all is "a mathematical gaffe" involving his accusation of the
president of misappropriating a large sum of money, for which he (second sin) refused to appologise. His
failure to re-verify his claim before raising an alarm constitutes a third "sin". Because of the need to
provide an adequate background to the story, this paragraph extends to nine sentences, most of them
complex in structure.
Paragraphs three to five further lists the CBN chief's misdeeds: both those before his accounting faux
pas and those after. Extravagant donations and wanton abuse of power are mentioned among others.
To compound these indiscretions, the writer indicates that Sanusi's seeming complete lack of penitence
and air of "regal indifference" upon being suspended, plus his audacity in challenging the suspension in
court only added to the litany of his "sins".
However, at this point, (having successfully establishing Sanusi's status as a 'sinner'), the writer swings
his searchlight away from Sanusi to focus on the other 'co-sinner", the president. This is the subject
Omatseve investigates in paragraphs six to nine. Starting the list of his 'presidential' sins was Jonathan's
failure to "show balance" when his reaction to Sanusi's case as contrasted with his dealings with other
similarly erring ministers. First mentioned in paragraph six is the case of a "ministers who is ex-this and
ex-that" on the world's stage(revealed in paragraph nine as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala)and the

misappropriation of 10.8 billion dollars. Second mentioned in paragraph seven is the earlier instance of
an aviation minister who diverted public funds (N255 Million) to satisfy her penchant for armored cars
(Stella Oduah). Third mentioned is the Alison-Madueke's N 2 billion jet scandal.
In these paragraph's, the author carefuly contrasts the President's 'rap on the knucle' reaction to these
later mentioned sins with his ealier mentioned drastic punishment of Sanusi. In the case of Oduah,
Omatseve mentions that a trip to the Holy Land with the culprit constituted sufficient penance on her
part; In the instance of Madueke and Okonjo-Iweala, they remain in office even while being
investigated. Omatseve's argument is that the President's toleration of all this wrongdoing while raising
an uproar about Sanusi constitues a gross sin of imbalance on his part.
Having clearly delineated his points, the writer (in paragraph ten) henceforth presents his submissions:
the two sides are sinners! But he is quick to indicate here that one party (Sanusi)has admitted his errors,
though he fails to see them as such. The President, on the other hand attempts to sweep his sins and
those of his flock under the all-embracing shield of our collective carpet.
The author concludes in the last two paragraphs by stating inequivocally that herein lies the essence of
our collective disgrace: the fact that such blatant corruption can be ignored and even tolerated within
the Nigerian society; that "Nigerians, ever tolerant of sins and forgiving of foibles, explain away the
disgrace". He attributes this tragedy to the tendency to view public office holders in terms of tribal and
religious labels. The consequence, for him, a national disgrace, much like that potrayed in J.M. Coetzee's
text by the same title. He submits that this wallowing in social disgrace is a mirror of country bereft of its
moral compass. This is how Sam Omatseve sees Nigeria.
Clearly, the article follows the format of a persuasive argument in which the author systematic builds up
a sucessive pattern of details until their implications becomes obvious to the reader. He adopts a
parallel juxtaposition of ideas, facts and details. First x-raying the opinion of those who were in support
of the president's actions against Sanusi, he later contrasts these with the basis for criticizing the
president for his excesses. Finally, he arrives at the synthesis all such displays of ignominy cannot but
harm the nation.
Interestingly, the rhetorical impact of Omatseve's argument obtains mainly in his staunch refusal to
explicitly condemn either party in the rabid language that would be expected of this can of text. Rather,
he ironically resorts to the use of religious language which he deploys with a high level of satirical effect.
The gross actions of the characters are merely "sins" that may be forgiven, afterall, 'to err is human and
to forgive divine". The motif of sinners sinning blatantly reoccurs throughout the text. In paragraph
seven, Omatseve draws an analogy between the trip to the holy land and an odyssey, the aircraft
compared to "a chariot to the lord".
Such biting sacarsm laces through the entire piece as evident in expressions like "stumble of figures",
"mathematical gaffe", "horde of incessant gunslingers", "car worship or automobile vanity", "ministry of
celestial matters", "center of terrestials scandals", "sudden sedan sins", "holy tears" etc. Particularly
scathing is the seemingly bland explanation of the holy land trip and the subsequent cleansing which
made Stella Oduah "the Lord's anointed". Understatements such as "the president was unhappy with

him" (paragraph three) add to the impact of the article. Through the use of such language, the writer
systematically ridicules and exposes the misdeeds of the Jonathan regime.
The writer also succeeds in reserving his opinion (or voice)untill the closing paragraphs. In paragraph six,
he merely presents the opinions of "those who were angry with the CBN chief"; in paragraph seven, the
arguments of "some" who raised an ealier matter ; in paragraph eight and nine, the comments of "those
who did not believe in the anointing". There is only one instance where he uses the first person plural, I,
to begin paragraph two. Thereafter he remains outside the picture by merely reporting his findings. But
this seemingly laid back reportive approach lends objectivity to the article and also serves to highlight
the many rhetorical questions which the author uses to drive home his points. For example, in
concluding paragraph nine, he asks "is one cronyism better than another cronyism?" The answer at this
point is an obvious "No!".
The writing is clear and lucid; the arguments easy to follow. There is a mixture of complex and simple
sentences, chosen depending on the facts presented. Most paragraphs begin with simple thesis
sentences, followed by compound and compound-complex supporting sentences. For example, two
sentences describing the President's religious pilgrimage with Oduah are long and complex, likely
because of the writers attempt to deliver a gradual but particularly biting critique.
The juxtaposition of contrasting ideas using parallel structures is also deftly employed for effect. For
instance, "she (Oduah) was supposed to care for our skies and heavens but she came down to earth to
ruin things. She did not care for the planes but she sullied the earth with sudden sedan sins". The article
is also laced with humor: Sanusi's "stumble of figures undermined his bona fides as the supremo of
figures; he is not allowed to have friends even though they may have known each other...before
democracy took seed in the imaginations of men", a particularly delicious bit of hyperbole. The effect is
a humorous piece that captives and enthralls the reader.
At certain points, the writer digresses to introduce details that aim to substanciate his point. For
example, to highlight the enormity of Jonathan's sin number three, the author relates an experience
from his student days when Shagari undertook to explain the dynamics of an account to the nation in a
live address. Against this backdrop, the president's lack of communication on the subject of the missing
funds becomes even more glaring.In the end, it can be said that Omatseve presents a balanced and
intruiging argument against corruption and double dealing in "Disgrace", in a sense, airing the dirty linen
of the sinners in print.