Power And Pretence: Eso Dike and Chizzy Alichi Mbah Deliver a Masterclass in Political Satire
By Tunde Afolabi, NollywoodTimes.com Senior Critic
January 31, 2026
Power And Pretence Full Movie Review; Eso Dike Chizzy Alichi Mbah 2026 Nollywood - Latest Nigerian Movie Political Drama CHIZZYFLIX
Picture this; a slick politician hands out measly 1,000 Naira notes to desperate street folks during a live campaign video, boasting he's "changed their lives." Chaos erupts when a feisty homeless woman crashes the frame, declaring on camera to 50,000 viewers that he's promised to marry her – all out of revenge for his earlier hit-and-almost-run. What follows is a whirlwind of kidnappings, forced court weddings, class warfare, and election dirty tricks that could only brew in Nollywood's cauldron of drama.
Welcome to Power and Pretence (2026), the fresh CHIZZYFLIX YouTube bombshell dropped yesterday (Jan 30, 2026), clocking in at 2 hours 8 minutes. Starring Eso Dike as the pompous Olum Balugu and Chizzy Alichi Mbah as the street-savvy firecracker who flips the script, this is peak political satire wrapped in melodrama. If you're craving a weekend binge that skewers Nigerian elections, social media virality, and pretense, hit play – but brace for twists that had me yelling at my screen!
In the ever-evolving landscape of Nollywood, the "political drama" has often been relegated to two extremes: the overly gritty thriller or the slapstick comedy. However, the 2026 release of "Power And Pretence" manages to strike a rare, sophisticated middle ground. Directed with a keen eye for social hierarchy, the film explores the toxic intersection of ambition, classism, and the unpredictable power of the Nigerian "street."
The Narrative Hook: A Marriage of Political Convenience
The film opens with a sequence that perfectly encapsulates the Nigerian political psyche. We meet Olumide Balogun (Eso Dike), a man whose pedigree is as polished as his designer suits. He is the quintessential "aspirational" candidate—well-spoken, Western-educated, and completely out of touch with the people he aims to represent.
The inciting incident occurs during a staged campaign rally in a low-income neighborhood. Enter Honor (Chizzy Alichi Mbah), a woman who survives by her wits and refuses to be a prop in Olumide’s PR machine. When she calls out his "performative charity" on a live stream, she doesn’t just trend; she creates a PR nightmare that threatens Olumide’s political future.
The brilliance of the script lies in its solution: The Political Marriage. To repair his image, Olumide’s handlers convince him to marry Honor—the very woman who tried to ruin him—to prove he is a "man of the people." What follows is a delicious, high-stakes game of cat and mouse where the boundaries between "acting" and "feeling" begin to blur.
Character Study: The Aristocrat vs. The Activist
Eso Dike as Olumide Balogun
Eso Dike delivers perhaps the most nuanced performance of his career. He plays Olumide not as a mustache-twirling villain, but as a victim of his own privilege. In the first act, his micro-expressions of disgust when entering Honor’s world are palpable. However, as the film progresses, Dike successfully navigates the character’s internal shift. His redemption doesn’t feel like a sudden "Hollywood" change; it’s a slow, painful shedding of ego.
Chizzy Alichi Mbah as Honor
Chizzy Alichi Mbah is the heartbeat of this film. It would have been easy to play Honor as a loud, "razz" stereotype, but Mbah brings a grounded dignity to the role. She portrays Honor as a strategist who is just as smart as the politicians, but without the resources. Her chemistry with Dike is electric precisely because it is built on mutual friction. When they finally find common ground, it feels earned because the audience has watched them fight for every inch of respect.
Scene-by-Scene Breakdown: From the Slums to the Mansion
The "Gara" Confrontation
One of the most pivotal scenes occurs early in the film when Honor disrupts Olumide’s food distribution drive. The dialogue here is sharp, highlighting the disconnect between a candidate who gives "cups of rice" and a community that wants sustainable infrastructure. This scene sets the tone for the entire movie: it’s not about kindness; it’s about visibility.
The Mansion Invasion
Once the marriage is official, Honor moves into Olumide’s high-tech mansion. The "fish out of water" trope is used here for more than just comedy. When Honor brings her friends from the street into the sterile, white-walled living room, it becomes a visual metaphor for the "encroachment" of the poor into the spaces of the wealthy. The tension is thick, exacerbated by Olumide’s elitist godfather, who views Honor as a "virus" in their political ecosystem.
The Vulnerability Shift
Around the 01:36:31 mark, we see the film’s emotional core. Olumide discovers the scars—both literal and figurative—of Honor’s past. This scene is masterfully shot in low light, stripping away the "pretence" of their public lives. For the first time, they aren't a politician and a street girl; they are two humans recognizing each other's trauma.
Thematic Deep-Dive: Classism and the "Godfather" Factor
"Power And Pretence" is, at its heart, a scathing critique of the Godfatherism that plagues Nigerian politics. The "Godfather" character serves as the primary antagonist, representing the old guard who believes that votes can be bought and the poor can be manipulated.
The film argues that the "street" is no longer a silent mass to be bribed. Through the use of social media and live streaming, the movie shows how information parity is changing the political landscape. Honor’s ability to mobilize her community via her phone screen is a direct threat to the Godfather’s backroom deals.
Technical Evaluation: Pacing and Cinematography
Visual Contrast
The cinematographer deserves a standing ovation for the color grading. The "street" scenes are shot with warm, chaotic, and vibrant tones, while the "political" scenes are cold, blue, and sterile. This visual storytelling reinforces the emotional distance between the two worlds.
The Soundtrack
The score is subtle, avoiding the over-dramatic swells often found in Nollywood dramas. Instead, it uses afro-fusion beats that reflect the contemporary Lagos setting, grounding the film in reality.
Pacing Issues
If there is one critique, it is the runtime. At over two hours, the second act drags slightly during the "marriage training" sequences. A tighter edit could have increased the tension leading up to the election climax. However, the payoff in the final 20 minutes is so satisfying that most viewers will forgive the mid-movie slump.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Watch?
"Power And Pretence" is a landmark film for 2026. It moves the needle forward for Nollywood by treating its audience—and its "street" characters—with intelligence. It is a story of how power is not something given by a godfather, but something reclaimed by the people.
Pros:
• Stellar lead performances by Eso Dike and Chizzy Alichi Mbah.
• Relevant, biting social commentary.
• High production value and beautiful cinematography.
Cons:
• Slightly bloated second act.
• Some supporting characters feel a bit one-dimensional.
Rating: 8.5/10
"A masterful blend of romance and political warfare that proves the 'street' always has the last word."
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If you haven't seen it yet, Power And Pretence is a must-watch for anyone who loves a drama with brains and heart. You can watch the full movie on YouTube now and see the sparks fly for yourself.
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