A power struggle erupts between a traditional Oba and a modern dictator over the control of the annual harvest festival. The protagonist, Kongi, seeks to consolidate his authority by forcing the Oba to present the new yam, a symbolic act that would legitimize his regime. Opposing him are the Oba and a group of conspirators who view Kongi's modernizing fervor as a threat to cultural sovereignty. The narrative unfolds through a series of dramatic confrontations that highlight the tension between ancestral tradition and the rigid, often violent, structures of a post-colonial state.

Discussion often centers on the play's sharp critique of political megalomania and the erosion of traditional values. Readers frequently highlight the complexity of the dialogue, which balances philosophical inquiry with biting political satire. Critics often note that the work serves as a potent commentary on the fragility of democracy in newly independent nations. The atmosphere is described as tense and claustrophobic, effectively mirroring the protagonist's desperate grip on control. Many readers appreciate how the play avoids simple moral binaries, instead presenting a nuanced look at the clash between competing visions of national identity.