Exploring Conflicts and Disagreements in the Novel Fathers of Nations
The novel Fathers of Nations exposes a number of incidents of conflict or disagreement. Write a composition in support of this statement.
In society, people often face problems that bring out strong disagreements. These clashes can happen at home, at work, or in public life, and they reveal what people believe and value. In Fathers of Nations, the writer shows many conflicts to prove that disagreement shapes the characters and the story.
One important conflict appears when Dr. Abiola Afolabi argues with the journalist Fiona McKenzie during an interview at The Seamount Hotel. Fiona introduces herself, switches on a recorder, and asks about the summit where African presidents plan to adopt Way Omega, so there is clear pressure on Afolabi to explain himself. Afolabi says he expects a historic moment with no more coups or rigged elections, which shows his hopeful view. Fiona pushes back and reminds him that some presidents at the summit are foul players, so her questions challenge his optimism. She also points out that his book, Failure of States, sounds pessimistic, and this contrast makes Afolabi feel attacked. He reacts strongly, calls her rude, and even mocks her newspaper by saying Zambian News before she corrects him to Gambian News, which increases the tension between them. When her phone rings, her boss calls her away, and she asks Afolabi to give just one quick example in a word, which he takes as disrespectful. Afolabi refuses to reduce his ideas, tells her to read the book instead, and ends the talk, so the interview collapses. Their clash shows a deeper fight between idealism and skepticism: he believes Way Omega can change Africa, while she doubts it because of real political behavior. The details of the recorder, the public setting, and the mention of coups and rigged elections all raise the stakes, since the interview can shape public opinion. This moment shows how media and intellectuals disagree about the future, and it proves that the novel uses conflict to expose competing truths.
Another conflict occurs between Pastor Chineke Chiamaka and the mysterious AGDA guide, who refuses to share his real name and tries to control him. The guide calls repeatedly, gives orders, and refuses to reveal his real name, insisting on being called only your guide. Pastor Chiamaka questions this secrecy, arguing that trust requires openness, but the guide responds angrily, telling him to “shut your mouth” and to obey without argument. The tension rises when the guide says he saw Chiamaka in the hotel bar drinking a Pepsi, accusing him of inappropriate behavior for a pastor. Chiamaka, feeling watched, calls this spying and refuses to apologize, but the guide demands it, forcing him to submit reluctantly. The argument turns into a battle for control, with the guide insisting he will always initiate contact and that Chiamaka must keep his AGDA-issued phone on at all times. This conversation is filled with verbal jabs, mistrust, and power imbalance, making the pastor feel both monitored and manipulated. The constant push-and-pull between resistance and forced obedience makes this situation a clear example of personal and professional conflict. It also shows how secrecy and control can create tension even between people who are most likely on the same side.
The breakdown of Professor Kimani’s marriage to Asiya is another powerful moment of disagreement in the novel. Professor Kimani’s wife, Asiya, tells him she is leaving him for MP Newborn Walomu, leading to a painful argument full of blame. Six months after the tragic death of their daughter Tuni, Asiya tells Kimani she is leaving him to marry MP Newborn Walomu. Kimani immediately suspects it is because of Walomu’s wealth, but Asiya fiercely rejects this, accusing Kimani of misunderstanding happiness and failing to provide it for over thirty years. Their exchange is raw and deeply personal, filled with old resentments about financial hardship, unfulfilled dreams, and blame for Tuni’s death. Asiya even says Tuni might still be alive if they had a real car, turning the argument into an emotional attack. Kimani tries to appeal to their shared history and age, suggesting they age together gracefully, but Asiya insists this is exactly why she must leave now. Her decision is final, and she leaves the next morning, ending their decades-long marriage. This conflict is especially painful because it combines grief, economic struggle, and personal failure, showing how deep emotional wounds can break long relationships. It is not just a disagreement; it is a complete collapse of trust and shared life.
Conflict reaches its highest point when Professor Kimani faces Newborn Walomu over Asiya, and their fight turns physical, ending in trouble for Kimani’s career and name. Kimani enters without invitation, calling Walomu a fat baboon and accusing him of stealing his wife. Walomu mocks him in return, boasting about having three young wives already and saying old is gold as a reason for wanting Asiya. He even quotes statistics about spouse stealing to provoke Kimani further. The insults escalate until Kimani swings at him, missing several times, and the two men scuffle like bull elephants before the police intervene. This public fight leads to Kimani being charged with assaulting an MP, demoted from full professor to senior lecturer, and jailed for six months. The scene is charged with personal humiliation, wounded pride, and the clash of two very different life paths, Kimani’s academic struggle versus Walomu’s political wealth and influence. The fight shows how personal grievances can explode into public scandal, permanently damaging reputations and careers. It is one of the clearest examples of conflict in the novel because it mixes raw emotion, physical violence, and long-standing resentment.
In conclusion, arguments between Dr. Afolabi and Fiona McKenzie, Pastor Chiamaka and the AGDA guide, and the bitter personal battles involving Professor Kimani reveal that clashes often arise from differences in values. These conflicts uncover the truth about the characters and the world they live in. These challenges test people’s strength and can change the course of their lives.
