FINAL BROADCAST OF ELECTION RESULTS AT DR ELEBE'S VILLA (1)

All these would have been pardoned but his lackadaisical attitudes to these issues angered the people more.

Dr Elebe sat restively in the living room, waiting earnestly for the final broadcast of the result of elections held a day before. He was feeling very anxious and lost in his thoughts; all he could imagine was another term in office. He had to rush down from his village that morning to his official residence in the Central Area in the Capital City after rumours of his impending defeat were spreading like wildfire.

This cannot be happening at this moment. When did it come to this? Our economy has witnessed tremendous growth in the last few years of my reign, yet all I get is an intensified criticism from the people that it does not cascade to the common man on the street. I have done my best for these people, building schools in the North for the Almajiri and ensuring a better life for every citizen… God knows!

  

Some of the prominent members of PPD, he had summoned a day before were just arriving at his Villa to witness how events unfold. “Your Excellency Sah!…” Malik the Party’s chairman briskly exchanged greetings with Dr Elebe and other members followed suit. Afterwards, it was straight to business as they all stayed glued to the couch, viewing critically at a local TV station transmitting the NEC’s activities. The 60’inch Samsung Flat screen TV hung on the centre wall of the living room magnified the picture quality and enhanced a clear audio sound for all the viewers.

 “This wasn’t our plan naw!” Uzo, Dr Elebe’s special advisor on media said in anger to Malik the party’s chairman who sat beside him. “I insisted that no card reader should be used… but you all assured me that there was a plan B…” Dr Elebe expressed his anger at the party chieftains.

In the living room, were four heavily armed guards all acting as if they were oblivious to their master’s conversations with his guests. They were all dressed in black suits and wore dark spectacles; each positioned at strategic spots appropriate to take notice of any suspected intruder.

Malik made an effort to reassure Dr Elebe “Your Excellency! We don’t have any problems in the South-South and South-East regions… all plans have been perfected for our victory in those regions.” Dr Elebe interrupts him, “…but what about South-West for God sake? Miliko from Sunshine is promising us one million votes from his area, but it seems things are not going our way there…In Gateway City, I heard a fight broke out between our members and their party coordinator because he refused to pay them their cuts.” he said in frustration. “But Your Excellency Sah!, Fayus from Knowledge Spring City will surely deliver in his province…He’s a smart guy and we know what he is capable of.” Kayode said with confidence as they all watched Jamal, the NEC Chairman on TV addressed all party agents and pressmen present at the International Conference Center.

Jamal was appointed five years ago by Dr Elebe, who had heard about him during his time as a lecturer in Animal Science at the Ocean City University. Jamal was known for his composure and integrity, but was mostly referred to as an objective person; He had achieved a lot during his tenure as the Union head of all Ivory towers in the Country and was feared by Government officials. Dr Elebe offered the position to him on a platter of gold because he felt appreciated by the people and a second term will definitely be a walkover. Of course, he was loved by the people when he was elected to office because, for the first time, people were witnessing a change in the popular faces that had ruled the country for years, he is a Ph.D. Holder in Zoology, he even claimed he had no shoes while growing up in the village which endeared the citizens more to him because they felt a person like him would know better, the suffering of the Masses. However, people began to change their tunes when he increased the fuel price few months in office, the Northern region witnesses the most terrible crises in their history where over 200 girls were kidnapped by a terrorist group, people also accused his regime of being one of the most corrupt ever witnessed in the Country. All these would have been pardoned, but his lackadaisical attitudes to these issues angered the people more.

“Thank you very much for your patience and for joining us…we are still waiting for some State constituency returning officers...” Jamal said in a calm voice while addressing the various party agents. “Imagine o, this ‘yeye’ man has refused to pick my calls…” Malik said while he kept his eyes glued to the TV.

“Your Excellency Sah! You have a call from Lagoon city.” Tega, one of Dr Elebe’s PAs whispered to him. He was expecting the final results of the City from his new minister of International matters – Onika. “Hello, Onika! What is the situation report over there?” he said in an anxious tone. “Your Excellency Sah! the result was very close o…” Onika said in a tone that depicts unsteadiness. “You mean we won?” Dr Elebe Interrupted. “Ehn…we won in some key towns, but lost the overall votes by a small margin.” Onika stammered but acted calm. He continued in a frustrated tone, “Your Excellency, ours is even better, the results coming from other South West Cities show that we’ve lost all except the Knowledge Spring…” He stated further, “I warned you on this card reader machine, but you assured us that everything had been taken care of…” He said in a tone that suggests he was nearly in tears. Dr Elebe interrupts, “Don’t worry Onika, I’ve realised my mistakes, but I’m still in control, you know?” He said authoritatively, “Okay Your Excellency! But this Jamal looks rigid; he didn’t even give our men any advantage being the ruling party…” Onika said expressing his displeasure at Jamal’s policies. “Leave him for now; I know what to do with him…I will surely win this one” Dr Elebe assured Onika. “Your Excellency Sah! Permit me to be the first person to congratulate you on your expectant victory!” Onika said ecstatically carried away in the wave of optimism. “Thanks, Onika!” Dr Elebe said and ends the call few seconds afterwards.