By MarkAnthony Nze
A political story
Chief Timbabu, popularly known as Janja, chieftain of the ruling party, and a political lord controlling virtually all the South-West states including the rich state of aquatic splendour.
He sits on the couch of his massive and exquisitely furnished living room, crosses legs on a coffee table, and slowly dragging his jumbo wrap of Marijuana heavily mixed with raw Cocaine, and intermittently, he speaks to the four prominent men in the country with him.
Timbabu has a habit of consuming about $3000 worth of Cocaine daily, which takes him to cloud nine, making him feel on top of the world.
Osibibinjo, the Vice President of Lasegeria, sitting on Timbabu’s right, Bodega, the current governor, is on his left while Fasheba, the former governor of the state and Olu, the governor – elect of the state are seen sitting adjacent him and smiling happily, apparently pleased with Timbabu for how far he has brought them in life, the only one who seems unhappy is Bodega because Chief refused bluntly to allow him go for a second term due to the fact that he has not been meeting up with Chief’s incessant demands for money.
To many Lasegerians the aforementioned men are great but to Timbabu, they are both his stooges and political slaves, and must be at his beck and call except they are looking to be disgraced in the country, for all of them, have stolen too much from the public treasury, including Osibibinjo, whom many know as a pastor.
“Bodega, I want you to transfer $250 million into my City Top domiciliary account with immediate effect,” Chief Timbabu said, and puffed out as the smoke made a spiral form. Then he turned to Olu, “O’boy, are you not smoking?”
Olu smiled happily, the hour he has been longing for has eventually come, ” I wouldn’t mind Chief.” Then come help yourself.
Hurriedly, Olu took the hard drugs on the Coffee and made himself a big joint. He took a long drag, nodded his small head satisfactorily, and puffed out then slowly, he said, “Chief, good stuff as always.”
“I go for the best, and it costs a lot. That’s part of the reasons I always need a lot of money to take care of my habit.”
Bodega, who has been keeping quiet, shook his head and responded, “Chief, I am afraid the state can’t afford that kind of money now…”
“Bodela, are you mad, or have you been smoking something that we are not aware? I am not asking for your opinion, I am telling you.” Chief getting very furious.
The rest of the men begin to beg him.
“Look at this boy that I rigged election to make a governor, now has the temerity to say no to my demands,” Chief Timbabu thundered then took a long drag of his weed infused Cocaine joint.
“Bodega, I am sure you wouldn’t like to be in Chief’s bad book, do as he said,” Osibibinjo calmly advised.
“What Chief asked is not out of place, I was a two time governor of the state, and was giving Chief as much as that regularly even at that time,” Fasheba said.
Bodega shook his head in defeat, and wanted to say something but words failed him.
“Bodega, your presence is no longer needed here till I get an alert confirming payment,” Chief said sternly staring at Bodega as he got up quickly, and started leaving.
Half way to the door, Bodega said, “The money would be transferred on Monday morning, today is weekend, there’s nothing I can do.”
“That’s my boy!” Chief said, a bit lively while Bodega murmured, ” I only hope the state doesn’t go bankrupt sooner than we envisage.” Then he stormed out angrily, and the sirens were heard blaring, as he was chauffeured and followed by his armed escorts.
(An excerpt from my unpublished novel
MARKANTHONY NZE – All Rights Reserved )
