Like I promised some days ago, I visited the beer parlour again. This time, the chairman of the local government was very much around with some of his political friends. I should have preferred my secluded spot but the beer house was full to the brim. Since this was the case, I had to share a table with with some other drinkers. Later, I was told by those on my table that the chairman was considered an august visitor. Whenever he visited, the beer house suddenly becomes filled up with people of all kinds.
Ordinarily, I should have gone back home but I was on a digging. I needed to hear the other side of the Nigeria story. This time, I wanted the chairman’s version. That way, it wouldn’t be about the governed against the government. I hope the chairman and his bubbling entourage would shed more light on grey areas.
“Hello everyone, our very own chairman Olakunle has done it again. All bills on the Chairmo!” Said a bulky looking man.
There were thunderous rounds of applause. Of course, the level of unity exhibited by beer drinkers and smokers remains unrivaled by any existing entity.
“See them, they are happy because the chairman has decided to clear all the bills for tonight” I overheard a man said to his friend.
“He has done well my brother, at least, he still finds time to visit us” replied his friend.
“What has his visit done for the welfare of our community? He is only good at sponsoring needless beer. He understands that drinking does not allow a man to remember glaring truth…while we drink away the future of our children, the chairman and his likes are gladly siphoning our national wealth for personal aggrandisement”.
” I see, was that the reason why Former Governor Rochas wanted to install his son-in-law as his successor? “
“Well, you may be partly right. My friend, absolute power corrupts”.
Drifted in my own thought, I imagined having a hundred red ants and a hundred black ants kept together in a jar. They were all fine until an external force shook the jar. In no time, all the ants were attacking each other. In my opinion, I think that Nigeria was doing fine until some external force decided to meddle into her affairs. You can simply say that our nation has become a laboratory of oppression. Every region is angry with the other.
” One bottle here please” I said to the waiter.
“What drink would you like Sir?”
“Malt”
I could see the many stares. It was unusual to ask for a non alcoholic drink in a club house. I still got it anyway. Midway into my drink, the atmosphere was once again quitened by the bulky man who had initially informed us about the generosity of the chairman. The chairman wanted to speak to us.
“My good people of Ilu Ayo, I want to thank you all for your support. Four years ago, I was here to solicit your support and you did just that. I and my team have delivered on our promises. However, without shying away, I want to once again seek for your support… It will interest you to note that we created so many jobs and gave out wheel barrows to members of our community…Thank you”.
No one dared to challenge the chairman. It was the Nigerian way; a docile people often too careful about hurting the power that be. Tonight, something unusual was about to happen, It was Liade, his dad had been gruesomely butchered two weeks ago by some unknown gun men. He was at the beer house too. He must have visited not out of will rather it was in a bid to forget his sorrows.
” Chairmo! I want to specially thank you for visiting us after four years. Indeed, your visit has made us whole again. Look at our faces, we are merry men. Needless to say, I have few questions for you.”
“Ride on my boy” the chairman replied excitedly.
” Chairmo, during your last campaign, you promised us a lot of things. You said you were going to protect us. You said your party was going to change our situation for the better”.
“And we did son!” the chairman fired back
“No Sir” Liade replied. Everyone was shock at the level of boldness welded by this young fellow.
“OK, tell me now-have I failed you?”
“Oh yes, your so called security had finally succeeded in killing my father on his farm. You had the wherewithal to speak for us but instead, you are satisfied with greed. A few naira there and there and you worshipped falsehood.”
“Your accusations are grievous, I hope you know you are speaking to the chairman?”
” Yes I do, we all saw it on the national TV, you said the people of Ilu Ayo were been childish. In your words, what transpired between the farmers and herders werevmerely mild disagreement over peasant asset.”
” Yes! The people of Ilu Ayo are only making too much ado about nothing. I mean, these herders are loving people. They are free to live wherever they like. They are Nigerians and the constitution remains supreme”
“The same constition that permits an Hisbah officer to arrest a police officer you mean?”
“You see son, until you get to the corridors of power you may never understand that we sacrifice countless sleepless night so that you can live in peace”
“Oh spare me that falsehood Mr Chairman”
” Watch your tone boy ” thundered the chairman.
” You claim to be a Shepherd -where were you when my dad and so many others were attacked on their farm? Where were you when the king was kidnapped?”
” In his Abuja twenty first century duplex I believe ” said an unknown fellow.
The beer house had suddenly gotten really cold. Everyone wanted to hear the chairman’s defence. Fortunately, Liade wasn’t ready to back down for he was venting the sorrows associated with loosing a beloved.
“You are just making baseless assumptions, I have always been around. The government regrets the many instances of security breach perpetuated by some elements amongst us”
” are you talking about the rehabilated terrorist or the sacred and revered bandits?”
“Stop been sarcastic, my hands are also tied. Regrettably, this time isn’t a very good one for the nation. The ravaging pandemic has halted a lot of projects”
“But it didn’t stop the government from borrowing” I wanted to say but was too afraid to tell the chairman to his face. I guess that makes me a typical example of Fela’s suffering and smiling fellow.
” Truth be told, we have not gotten to our destination yet but I can assure that, very soon the people will be glad they made this choice. All I am saying is that you should allow us for another tenure. We will bring the desired change”. With that, the chairman rose up on his feet and quickly dashed into his waiting vehicle parked outside. As usual with most Nigeria politicians, he threw some naira note into thin air…”
The chairman has made a mark. Money rules over the most brilliant mind. It is a Nigerian factor. The politicians realize this and have since decided to always meddle with the citizens mind with a tip of it. It was Adolf Hitler who plucked out the feathers of a fowl. To the dismay of many who had gathered to watch, that fowl still found time to devour a few corn despite the pain he had been subjected to.
– Olayinka Kayode Kingsley
Email contact: olayinkakayodekingsley@gmail.com
