Chief Timababu was not convinced that he still had Governor Kulala Bodega in his grasp. He thought that for the governor to even speak up against him at all showed that there was a brewing a rebellion and he wasn’t having it. His years in the political waters had taught him how to spot the signs and he had to squash it while it was still in its budding stage.
He always felt that since he could make Kulala Bodega the governor, he could as well take him back to where he picked him up and he knew just how to get that done.
He contacted his trusted allies; the information minister of Endassa, Isa Obanam, a man who could easily sway public opinion to any direction he wanted and had been on the chief’s payroll, he also contacted the editor of the approved and well regarded newspaper in the state who was also a well-loved talk show host on national television, Umar Kassim.
Umar Kassim was loved among the people, to the average lay man in Endassa, he was patriotic to the nation and empathetic towards the cause of the people, but little did they know that it was just a front to deceive the people as he was also on the payroll of the chief. The chief would pay him lump sums of money to portray his own puppet of a candidate as the right one during elections because he knew the people valued and loved Umar Kassim.
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By the end of the meeting between Chief Timabu, Umar Kassim and Isa Obanam, the wheels of the destruction of Kulala Bodega would have been set in motion. As much as the two men had thought the governor was loved by the chief and they made attempts at dissuading the chief from wreaking havoc against him, they were quick to be reminded that the chief only wanted people he could manipulate. He wanted to see Kulala Bodega’s Image tarnished so that he could install his new puppet, Olu white.
The plot was already beginning to unfold.
Excerpt:
After the meeting with Kulala Bodega, Timbabu was not very happy as he could feel the bubble of anger swelling inside Bodega. The chief was the great white shark in ocean of the African politics, he knew exactly what was coming, and he wanted to squash the uprising under his boot even before it could see the light of the day. Timbabu had worked hard and dirty for years to reach the place he was at, and he knew he could not risk it, no matter what happens. If he could make Kulala Bodega who he was, the chief could sure as hell cease him from existing.
Chief Timbabu, aka Janja, realized that he had to come up with a plan as soon as he could to stop Kulala Bodega from executing whatever was cooking inside his head. Even when Kulala Bodega had promised to deliver the money, the chief was not convinced and decided to have a meeting with two of his significant men who always worked on the front for him, creating and destroying images of the government officials.
One of the men was the information minister of Endassa, Isa Obanam who was the most loyal pawn of the chief could do anything for Timbabu, as he had always been paid well for the jobs he executes for the chief. Is Obanam was a cunning man who had links in every part of the world, especially in their homeland. He was so capable that he could smartly, create things in a snap to sway opinion.
The second man, Umar Kassim, was the editor of the state-endorsed newspaper and was known for the talk show he hosted on the national television. On the front, Umar Kassim was a patriot and thus was loved by the masses. His words were taken very seriously by the public which was the reason he was very dear to the chief. Umar Kassim was strategically used by the chief especially before the presidential elections to boost the campaign run by his favorite candidates. Both the men were there on the yacht next morning on the special invitation by Timbabu, and the meeting was meant to decide the fate of Kulala Bodega and his subsequent election campaign. He had made a massive mistake by messing with the shark, who was now going to swallow the governor.
As Umar Kassim and Isa Obanam reached the dock, they were greeted by Musa Danjuma, chief’s deadly bodyguard who was a criminal and murderer before he started working for the chief. Musa nodded as a greeting gesture and opened the door to the lavish boat, where the chief Timbabu was already sunk in a velvet couch. The men walked towards the couch to shake hands with the chief who was half lying with his legs on the expensive glass table, smoking a cigar. On the sight of those two, Timbabu grinned and with the movement of his hand, ordered Musa Danjuma to shut the door.
“What a pleasant morning it is,” The chief said in a cheerful voice.
“Yes. Of course.” Both the men murmured in agreement. Nobody dared to disagree with the chief even when they knew he was too high even to understand what he was talking about.
“I have summoned both of you here for a purpose today. I have a task for you.” Timbabu threw away what was left of the cigar and lit a cigarette.
“Yes, chief. I am happy that you thought of me and that I could be of some service to you.” Said Umar“Ja, it is our pleasure,” Isa added.
“I want to talk to you about our beloved governor. The hero of the entire nation.” Snorted the chief and both the men looked at each other.
Everyone had a soft corner for Kulala Bodega, and they thought chief liked the governor. The information minister and the editor looked at the chief expectantly, having an idea that Timbabu must be wanting Kulala Bodega to win another round.
“There is this bizarre thing I read somewhere.” The chief began. when an ant grows wings, it is probably about to die.” He started moving his feet back and forth on the table. “I think Kulala Bodega has begun to grow his pair and it ain’t any good for him.”
“Kulala is doing pretty well at the moment. Especially since the hospital foundation was laid.” Isa informed.
“People of Endassa worship him.”
The chief gritted his teeth, a vein visible on his forehead indicating his anger. Isa bit his tongue; the last thing he wanted was upsetting the chief.
“I mean whatever he is today is because of you, my kind chief.” Isa corrected his mistake.
Timbabu rubbed his forehead with his thumb and exhaled sharply. “You all are what I made you. Not just him.”
“True. True” Umar nodded in agreement.
“I want you to run stories on Kulala Bodega. Just that this time it won’t be filled with his praises but the opposite. He will soon understand how huge of a mistake it was to cross daddy.” Timbabu snarled at the end.
“You are right, chief. He should be taught a lesson. How can he forget his godfather?” Isa said to make his
“Definitely,” Umar added.
“He must remember the times when he was an ordinary boy struggling to find a place in the game of politics and I held his hand. Kulala Bodega is what I made him. I was the one who showed him the way to success. Do you see how people love him today? Could he rule their hearts without my support?”
“Certainly not. Do you want me to talk some sense into him chief?” Isa asked hopefully. He knew that Kulala Bodega was not just loved by the public, but Timbabu also liked him a lot.
“Talk? It is far beyond from that now. I want to replace him. He will see how Janja can make people and destroy them if he wills.” Timbabu walked to the bar and made himself a drink. “You fellows care for a drink?” He asked, casually.
Both the other gentlemen gulped and shook their heads. This was going somewhere they least expected it.
“There is nothing much I expect you to do. Just spread a word that Bodega is not capable of handling the state affairs efficiently.” The chief took his seat. “Paint a picture that he lacks what it takes to be a leader. He does not have the confidence or wisdom.”
“Hmm. I do understand chief, but it will be a tough job as he has won the hearts of the people. They see him as their savior.” Umar scratched his head.
“Nothing is impossible for the two of you,” Janja said and stood up again. He walked to the table at the other side of the room and pulled out a drawer. Umar and Isa saw him come back and throw big fat envelopes on the coffee table in front of them.
“It can be done, chief,” Isa said excitedly, but I have a better plan. “If we publish some content and pictures of Kulala Bodega with random women and spread a word that he only helps them if they got in the bed with him, this could damage his persona like nothing else.”
“This sounds good. In public he is seen as a family man who puts his wife and his daughters first, and that is one of the reasons he is massively respected. If we could find some proofs that he is not what he portrays to the world, the image of a good family man will shatter.” Umar agreed.
“Leave everything on us, chief.” Isa took one envelope and weighed it in his palms.
“It is more than you could ask for.” Timbabu stared at him coldly. “If you could pull this off and soon, I will make sure that you are rewarded again.
“Thank you, chief.” nodded Isa and kept the envelope in his pocket. Umar followed.
“Find a woman who is beautiful and cunning enough to seduce Kulala Bodega. He is a loving and loyal man as far as I know. There is no guarantee that this plan will work but try. Whatever you do, just do it quick. We do not have much time left.” Janja kept his legs on the coffee table again.
“Ja, chief. May I ask who do you want to replace him with?” prompted Isa. “I mean we will start talking good stuff about the new candidate soon.” He stammered at the dangerous look the chief gave him.
“Olu Whyte,” Timbabu replied. ‘He is the perfect choice seeing the circumstances. He is not just a good actor but also chases me around like a puppy. This kind of a man I want to see in the power next. Who would have power in the public eye but would lick my boots as soon as he is called for.” Janja said in a raspy voice as he inhaled the powder from the coffee table. Timbabu was always taking double the dose of an average human, socking people around him who wondered how did he manage to talk or stand at all.
“I have met him several times. He is a good candidate, chief.” Umar looked out of the window where it had started raining.
“I agree.” murmured Isa, who looked like a hyena salivating over bones after seeing the envelope.
“I can also invite Olu Whyte on my television program soon where we can portray him in a way that would make the masses fall in love with him,” Umar suggested, and the chief nodded.
“Yes, do that soon.” Janja straightened as a thought struck him suddenly. “I am hearing whispers about an underground paper these days. Tell me about that.” The chief looked at the information minister.
“We know little about it at the moment, chief but we are investigating further,” Umar said in an uncomfortable voice. This was a topic he had been praying that the chief doesn’t question him about.
“Umar you are an influential media executive, how come you do not know someone is trying to bring a revolution under your nose? When exactly do you plan to catch the culprit, after they destroy us all?” Janja snarled.
“No, chief. Just give me a day or two, please.” begged Umar.
“That rag is trying to create curiosity about us. We have to take action before it could get us all fucked.” Janja thundered.
“The news was that a retired army general is behind it, chief.” Isa tried to calm Timbabu. “The name and whereabouts will be revealed soon. I promise you that I will drag the culprit to you very soon.”
“You better do so if you wish to live” the chief gritted his teeth “Don’t you even try to take this matter lightly.”
“I do understand the sensitivity of this situation. Chief. I will handle it on a priority basis.” Umar loosened his tie. It was suddenly becoming hot in the room.
“You too, Isa. Exhaust your resources and find out whoever it is who is trying to stir the pot. It is almost comical that there is somebody who wants to mess with Timbabu. I do not care who it is; the days of him are over in this world. Musa has been bored lately, greeting people at the entrance. No bloodshed, no violence, things have been boring for him. He needs his adventure-time every once in a while.” Janja poured another drink.
“Yes, yes, chief. I am on it.” Musa’s name drained the colour from the faces of both the men. Isa wiped his forehead and assured the chief.
“You may leave now and do not show me your face again without any solid information about the matter.
Also, make sure you take care of Kulala Bodega as soon as you can.” Timbabu wrapped up the meeting and both the other men jumped out of their seats instantly as if they wished to vanish into thin air.
“Ja, chief. good day!” Isa bowed slightly and left the room.
Umar added in a tiny voice as he bowed “Your worries are mine, my dear chief. You have done so much for me, and I promise you that I would do everything in my power to resolve these matters.”
Timbabu just nodded once, and Umar also left leaving the chief alone lost deep in his thoughts.
