“I promise to do that” he replied solemnly. The gathering ended suddenly.
Gatherings like that were held nights and days until it came to the notice of each of them that Mr. President had yielded. He dragged foot, which were usual response to such deliberations, counting likely repercussions and praying to overcome heavy temptations. He did not yield in completely until those zealous boys threw their weight behind him, begged, threatened and vowed until his heart melted.
Before revisiting his old memory with them he had signed and endorsed where appropriate a writing that nearly cost him his eyeball. Then it was late.
The schemers were totally against Mr. Ribadau being the president yields. So after a short last weight, they left without a word of clear support from Mr. President, Mr. Ribadau, was totally confused and though the matter was over, not knowing where Mr. Ribadau was placed in the whole affair as he them for another convenient time, they took few bottles of Spanish gin to pass the remaining time, in wait for Mr. President.
Twenty five minutes later or more after they had left, a call came from the men who wanted it urgent to have talk with professor Uka and Mr. Ribadau. It was nearly eight in the night. One could imagine whether these men sleep for a whole round of two hours in a day. They prefer power to anything. They could sleep thinking and dreaming power, walk and eat talking power, fight grabbing power. They were born to be power holders. Its intoxicating nature made them make sacrifices worth making to their believe. Calls upon calls, meetings upon meetings and correspondences.
That night like many other nights of such meetings, they had preceded them to the venue of the next meeting. They might join later. They were hiding something for them. It as only for their ear. It was a meeting to beat down any argument or refusal by Uka. The night was like any other night, fighting over words, eye lashing and physical abuse were bane of the night. It was a night of highest trick in the world. Mr. President men deploying all the tricks in their political bags and diary.
The next morning would be for the ruling party’s primaries and for the other parties, the hands down of many political opponents would continue. Money would exchange hands. Many would be bought over. Many calls to be made. Just like one of the primary elections conducted before Mr. President came into power, the president write four thousand letters, seven thousand telegrams and over thirty thousand text messages if equaled. It was a night of highest bargain from the contestants. Mr. President was only saying in African Pidgin English I still dey laugh. He knew why he was laughing. He planned the game and let his boys compete. Anyone who won carries it all. If it was not properly handled, he would carry on with power.
The call over Mr. President, Ben , Uka and Ribadau made way to the venue, which was suddenly changed to make others absent for the last deal. Such secret meeting in hierarchy and choice of gathering of those in corridors of power and business was believed to be an action which hit a direct blow to the transparency in governance and pinning down to hard earths the ever surviving democracy. It did not last long. Few things were listed as agenda and discussed. For the first time, professor Uka stood to challenge the authority of his Lord. Some stood and left while others remained.
“His Excellency, I quite understand and had worked hard to follow to the last line of plan. I sensed a presentiment of trouble ahead. I believed I have given you a piece of my mind in this deal but…”
“Hush” said Mr. Ribadau ‘ it is nothing to stutter about. I picked you single-handedly on your mother’s recommendation, not that you fit in for this because of your father’s reputation in this party. I picked you as a son and gave you to the president and he honored it. You are chairman to the election body because he said so. There are thousands and hundreds who are wise and strong, who too have yearned to be called or be nominated, but you came in unopposed and deliberated on briefly and uninterrupted. Why did you want to cut the finger that sends food to your mouth? I wish you should be careful. He asks you to do the job of substituting and disqualifying anyone he points at and he bears the responsibility that will arise from it,” said Mr. Ribadau.
That was somehow the believe of many about him.