The Last Dictator

By Ned Tony Emeni

It is a new dawn for the C-in-C, whose ascension to power is the result of the assassination of the reformist military head of state, General Mutallah Mohammed, who once promised to transfer power to a democratic government and failed. As a handful of military leaders meet in a private guest house, it soon becomes evident there are cracks in the military foundation and that a palace coup is boiling just beneath the surface. The leaders know they must choose who will be the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But the question remainswho?

As soon as General Obasanjo becomes the new president, the nation is plunged into chaos. As a revolution brings masses to the streets who destroy and paralyze all government institutions, Obas realizes he must terminate the ruthlessness of the mafia by appointing the no-nonsense, second-in-command military ruler, Brigadier Taju Agbon, to power. But all of Obass efforts are in vain as more intolerants emerge, the upper class is attacked, and corrupt politicians are robbed of their wealth and properties.

In this action-packed tale full of surprising twists and turns, the reign of the last dictator precariously hangs in the balance as he attempts to rule over a nation in jeopardy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Apr 20, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466909298

Ned Tony Emeni

Tony Emeni was born into a family of nine in Nigeria, where he still lives today. He earned his OND in electrical engineering and has worked as an engineer, entrepreneur, and as an executive director of an investment company. He currently works as a director with Novo Technologies Limited.

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Copyright 2012, 2014 Ned Tony Emeni.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-0927-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-0928-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-0929-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012902473

Trafford rev. 05/27/2014

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty One

Chapter Thirty Two

Chapter Thirty Three

Chapter Thirty Four

Chapter Thirty Five

Chapter Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Seven

Chapter Thirty Eight

Chapter Thirty Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty One

Epilogue

About The Author

This is a true work of nonfiction, the characters, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, dead or living is entirely coincidental.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I dedicate this book to the Almighty LORD GOD the giver of life; Most Supreme LORD, Sovereign LORD I give you all the glory, honour and adoration for this work piece accomplished.

Most Holy Father, I give you all the honour for the editor, proof reader you provided for the work piece in a short spate of time; Kudos to Mr Davison Brown, the editor and proof reader of the work piece.

Also, bigger thanks to my brothers, sisters and cousins for their non relenting words of encouragement during the time spent in working on the novel. Amongst them are Richie Emeni, Tom Emeni, Paul Emeni, Randy Emeni, Gordon Emeni, Aike Emeni, Idise Emeni, Dayo Coka, Scott Almona and Effiong Johnson Emeni, Viviene Emeni and Noye Emeni. I counted on your inspiring words and it kept me going. I want to say thanks a great deal for being there for me.

In all I will not fail to mention my most respected dad and mum, Chief Hon SAE Emeni and Kate Emeni.

Then to my friends, Chief Magistrate Paul Ozonitcha, Sammy Ehime, Austin Odiachi, Philip, Victor Ogbogu, Ekeme Ohwovoriole, Prince Engr. Mudiaga Ejohwomu, Prince Greg Ejohwomu, Okoro Brown, and Aike Eboka, Uche Ogude, Onohorigho Dafe, Rodney Efe, Charles Enahoro, Runnic Joel, Emmanuel Egwage, Jame Yudowe, Mike Egbiramor.

Not forgotten are my friends in the house, Jude Isichei, Ifanyi Ozua, Raymond Imala, Onorode Mudi, Charles Ofor for keeping the spirit high as ever.

To our amiable pastor Anthony Umemezia, I thank God Almighty for your calling that has transformed so many lives.

PROLOGUE

Lagos-Obiaruku 1979

The UPN rally was overpopulated, Chief Obami Awonowo emerged from the helicopters, and the music ‘it is a duty that we serve our own dear mother land for progress and justice… so up, up, Nigeria…’ filtered out from a semi turn table musical player set displayed in a UPN coloured bus and the children cheered: Up Awoo, they shouted. Going straight to the waiting car he waved the people as he advanced.

At the market square top politicians from the local environment lined up to have a hand shake with the UPN presidential candidate. When it got to the turn of the UPN house of assembly candidate, Awonowo took his hand and said: Emy, I used to know your brother who was my colleague in law school and your dad too. He chatted with him for a long time.

Awo seeing the eager crowd that waited on him said: It is a reality and a new dawn for Nigerians, as we have come to chart a new course that will bring to light our future and enhancing the advancement of man towards an egalitarian society; where men will not suffer starvation or deprivation any longer. Starvation and deprivation is a bane of impoverished government and the people amidst wealth still suffers. Government will henceforth look into the constituton and add those values, especially those things that are not there for effective governance and response to man’s quest. For us to achieve this set goals we shall call to mind that in the past people had opportunity to salvage this country but left it to satisfy their immediate needs as such our government in place shall probe all past leaders of this country to find a lasting solution to corrupt practice.

Abuja is not my priority, Awoo said as the press men asked him concerning his plans for moving Nigeria’s head quarters to Abuja.

The news of Awo’s threat to probe past military officers in the country circulated within the top—top military officers. General Olani, C-in-C whose ascension to power was by chance as a result of the assassination of the no nonsense, reformist military head of state, General Murta Ahmed by a group of dissident sectional soldiers, who felt he was returning sanity to the masses. A core reformist who after becoming the head of state repented and surrendered all ill gotten wealth—including the loot from the Central Bank, Benin City and owned houses in Kano due to criticism by Prof. Ohamu who made him to know that he cannot preach sanity whereas he was immersed in looting of the nation’s treasury. Three days after he surrendered his wealth to the federal government, his promise to hand over power to a democratic government was to be fulfilled and had yielded fruit; promise of a successful conduct of an election and handing over to civilian government was made and reinvigorated in the minds of the people.

Alhaji Musa Agari, a retired school teacher was set to represent the old Sokoto State fifth constituency in the senate. His coordinator mentioned his name to the Sokoto caliphate.

Did you say he worked closely with our leader, Tamawa Bakinwa? Alhaji Comori asked.

And how are you sure he will protect our interest? Col. Dannis Sani asked.

I think first we have to bring him in as one of us before we can make him, Alhaji Danti Bwuari said.

That is okay by me, so let us say we are handpicked him for the job of Mr. President, General Donlami said.

General Y T Donlami left the meeting satisfied as soon as he reached the Dodan barrack, he ordered his boys and he went straight to the president’s sitting room. He pulled his shot gun as he approached General Olani: If you are not ready to quit we shall both quit this earth together, he said fulfilling the assignment given by the Sokoto caliphate.

Sensing that Olani was still bent on acting his mind said: If not for my plea to the northerners and my colleagues to let you be and subsequent take on the position when you were shaken like rabbit. Northerners or not I said and stood my ground that you must take over from where Murta Ahmed stopped; now is the time for you to go, Donlami said.

It is not a battle field yet Donlami: Who do you think we can entrust this position to? General Olani asked Yusuf who came to his rescue.

Calm down! Yusuf told Donlami who was still panting and holding his short gun pointed at General Olani whose ADC was held down by General Donlami’s loyal officers.

We can settle this without a brawl still, Yusuf said.

How will General Olani think he can fool us all, after all we did to ensure that he assumes the position as head of state even with the pressure mounted on us by our fellow northerners, General Donlami told Yusuf when they were out of Olani’s reach.

Leave that out, he has no choice but to play out tape the way we want it, Yusuf said calming General Donlami.

The long necked C-in-C sat in the Dodan Barrack presidential office apartment of the administrative government, waiting for the hand over day slated for October 1st, 1979.

Like in a nocturnal meeting, top military men in the calibre of Lt. Col. Aminu Yusuf, Col. Dannis Sani, Col. Jerom Ganiyu, Brigadier Philip Bisi, Brigadier Timothy Edinura, Brigadier Mathew Umadun, Captain Imetulo Edwin (NN), Captain H Ihanifia (NN), and the service chiefs, Col. Asonu Okren, chief of air staff, Commodore Lekon Adoye, chief of naval staff, Brigadier Y.T Donlami, chief of army staff met in the head of state’s private guest house. When the head of state walked in, he wore a gloomy face.

I can’t allow a probe into our past… he construed considering the credited statement of the UPN presidential candidate that, he would probe every past military ruler. If we allow a probe it will not only ruin our estates, it will show more of our weaknesses thereby rubbishing our legacies, he continued. There is an adage common with my people; they say the stick you see cannot blind your eyes through spearing. He then sat down: Now tell me, how it is possible to hand over to someone that will not be a torn in our flesh and more so, the fact that Awonowo is liked by all does not mean he must win. But if by chance he wins, what becomes of us then? General Olani asked rhetorically. I don’t want to be involved in a skirmish after handing over because I know him very well as a man who keeps to his promises so, we should have no choice but to fight to sustain our legacies, General Olani remonstrated.

Since he has told the nation that he would probe all past leaders, he meant it from the bottom of his heart and you cannot change his orientation. He knows all the wrongs we had done in the past, as he worked closely with Gonwalk; a very bright man he is, no doubt, General Olani said.

In that case, he must lose the election by chance too, the chief of army staff, Brigadier—General Donlami said laughing.

Yes! we have succeeded in making the military quit; my fear is obvious I am not the last dictator because the boys seem not to be happy over my relinquishing power to the politicians. That slimy Colonel, Brimah is a trap, a slippery brat that can go the miles, he added.

Then he must go with us, Colonel Dannis Sani said.

General, you have done your bit as the C-in-C, let’s not leave anything to chance, why not disconnect all necessary links that can manifest into army come back to governance, like retiring all political officers; especially those who have held political offices in the past, like governors, military attaches, ambassadors, etc, General Yusuf said with much seriousness.

You are right but doing that would mean trouble for all of us; you know how I became head of state, I am still sick and tired of the renegade regenerating reformist, General Olani said. ‘The so called boys will not be loyal anymore if we try to flush them out from the military constituency when they are not ripe for retirement,’ he added.

On a more serious note, Agari is not a match to Awonowo but we do not have a choice, he has to win the election by hook or crook, Yusuf said.

That is a fair deal then, the C-in-C said letting out a relief gasp of breath. Let us work on how he becomes the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria then, he concluded.

CHAPTER ONE

1979

The elections were conducted with NPN winning in majority states as announced by FEDECO but the UPN presidential candidate objected to the election result as the initial result that came out was with figures ranging high for the UPN while the NPN figures was far below that of the UPN.

Awonowo sat among his lieutenants who stayed back to console him but instead of being consoled he was the one that was consoling his people.

Take hearts my people he started; "even in the days of Action Group we made the government to sit up talk less of this new leadership that the military is imposing on us all. We shall give them good governance in our own governed states to show example to the whole world that we are the best even when we are not given the opportunity to perform at the federal. All states must rigidly adhere to the UPN manifesto which is to centralize education, provide housing to the very poor and institutionalize our leadership to have a bearing and with GOD on our side we shall overcome all forms of sets back that would want to cause disintegration among party men and women.

We must decentralize our government to the very bricks in our locality especially in the local government segmentation into the wards and quarters so that the dividend to democracy can reach all nooks and croonies as long as we remain in government," Awonowo paused.

The house was calm as the whole audience listened to the great man of their times:

Never have I found a man who so lavishly with wisdom provided free education in his time as the premier of the western region, in-fact he is the modern Yoruba tribe. How I wish the military government knows what they are up to they would not have misdirected this nation the second time, Chief Modukpe Johson told his pal who was seating next to him.

When chief Awonowo finished addressing the party men and women the governors moved to a table in the right wing to deliberate the affair since the race of leadership has just begun.

You must give your people free education as stipulated in our party manifesto, Awonowo began. Once you are able to achieve that every other thing would out play itself in the leadership structure. Professor, I know the Bendel people believe in you so much as such you must not fail them. Leadership is wise and to Jarudeen our people in Lagos are used to governmental policies, please I implore you not to deviate from those good policies that will bring the people to the lime light. Concentrate only on projects you know is feasible and leave the rest as you cannot achieve everything within four years single tenure; once you are sure done with all projects started then when you are coming back in 1983 you will have a good fitting to start off or even if you are tired of running your predecessor can work in harmony as well. Gentlemen this is not lecture time but a time to work out good modality to benefit our people the more," the UPN presidential candidate said as he rounded off.

Benin government house was full with legislators who came to pledge their loyalty to the governor after the house of assembly sponsored motion to outwit the governor.

Once your presence is felt by the governor you may leave, the legislator’s leader told his colleagues who were anxious that the governor has not come to see them but there and then the governor emerged clouded in a brown safari suit, his white hair was outstandingly white and his very calm nature was a let go for acceptance. Even in times of adversity; he was a let go by his enemies.

My parliamentarians, I welcome you to the government house Benin City, you are free to ask for anything you want as my stewards are eager to treat you to the taste of their menu. I must start by congratulating you for today’s achievement in the house, notwithstanding the influx of negativity trying to pull us back still we overcame with laudable bench marks of progress. I tell you this is the first step in the right direction as the leadership of Bendel State cannot be an oversight without you as full implementers of your good policies. As such all your localities would be brought into full glow of government activities. Just come along with the needs of your people and remember they voted you and as such they should be allowed to do all contracts that come to your communities. We shall delegate powers to the commissioners to always liaise with you before giving out any job in your communities so that it will go to the right party men and women, the governor enthused.

The shattering of glasses awoke the legislators who were busy munching the roasted chicken served with spices on a silver shinning plate.

Take it easy, the majority leader told the servant who hurriedly served the legislators wanting to please his boss.

When the legislators were through with the dinning business, they were moved into a conference room and the job of legislating took a different dimension as the governor introduced them to the blue print of his government as spelt out by the party presidential candidate. Handing an envelope to each of them which specifically detailed the governor’s master piece blue print for the running of Bendel State in the next four years:

If you have any query please do feel free to respond through the same channel and we shall implement according to your kind advice, the governor said when he finished addressing the legislators.

Ripping open the envelope, it had a clipped listen word as the heading: The leadership work has begun. The coordinating legislator studied the guided wordings by the governor before reading through the blue print of governing the state, once done he smiled and said:

My people will like this, his driver pulled over at the garage and he stepped out of the car leaving the envelope inside the car.

Leventis supermarket along with the Kingsway were rated the best supermarkets in Benin and in other towns in Nigeria and that was the only places the legislator shops even before he got into the house of assembly, his taste has been driven by his closeness to the whites whom he had always had confidence in as good leaders so he tends to follow in their steps. Walking round the rolls of confectionaries he was able to pick his usual, the round bread in pack of twelve.

Once inside the car, he said: Drive to the house.

Members of a group known as the Kaduna mafias sat in a round table conference hall of the elegant building known as… . The group which emerged as a result of the sudden dismissal of the First Republic which was headed by the then prime minister, Alhaji Tamawa Bakinwa, his key political associates and leaders in the northern part of the country; most of whom lost their lives as a result of the military revolution that brought in Jude Agile Irosil. It was when the northerners saw that they have lost a whole lot of their leaders and traditional rulers that the remaining government officials in the likes of the civil servants, nobles, and a few upper military echelon especially from the Muslim northern part of the Kaduna region teamed up for a common cause. The main interest of the group was to come together and vehemently oppose the government of General Agile Irosil who they saw as an offshoot of the military revolutionary soldiers. Members had a base in Kaduda and most of whom had their basic education at the Barewa College in Zaria town; of which had held high public offices and have excelled in their various fields of specialization unlike their predecessors who were not lettered. Most of them were valued as competent and had profound value for the bidding force of tradition spurring them in the pursuit of high level social political norms for Northern Nigeria as most of them were in the banking sector as MDs and directors, ministers, military colonels and business developers. What really brought them together was the importance of financial growth and high esteem at the dispense of the southern Kaduna people who are known to be predominantly Christians and on a vast networked authority based wide spread of the northern nobles with sympathy from all connected platform based on the ancestral Islamic religion binding them as a governing force.

The leader of the group, a sole confrontationist stood to address the people. He started by welcoming the GOC 3rd Mechanized Brigade for showing up in the meeting and extended his hands of fellowship to Alhaji Umar Comori, Major General Aminu Shino Yusuf, Mamman Daura, Ibrahim Tahir and Mahmud Tukur.

When he finished addressing the house the election feedback was given freely by the Alhaji’s coordinator as most of the members of the Kaduna mafia were keenly interested in the benefits of the newly emerged Agari government.

Go tell the president that we have played our roles in coaxing the military leadership to favour him so what is going to be our stake in this government? Alhaji Ciroma said. And the whole house gave their nod to the posing question. Their cultural affiliation became an advantage to all of them who expected the Agari government to be completely loyal to them. They were very bent on subverting all that the government has neglecting the interest of other northern extraction who are non Muslims; especially the non elite groups.

Tell the president that we shall all give him our support to see him succeed just as we have always supported him when he was a minister in the then Gonwalk government…

Alhaji Musa Agari is a Fulani by birth and a profound aristocratic who holds a title of the Turakin Sakwato in the Sokoto Caliphate. He is a born teacher who with a young fellow Mallam Gambo Abuja in 1946 started a youth movement which later became a political movement based in Sokoto. Some nobles and prominent men in the likes of Mammod Bwari, Abrahim Guasa, and Mallam Ahamdu Dabbaba supported them and in 1948 they were able to consolidate their basic principles in the whole region by bringing all disheartening voices in the region under one umbrella which later manifested into the Northern Peoples’ Congress. By the time the political affiliates saw their strength they brought them together and formed a political party called the Northern Peoples’ Congress.

In 1958 Agari was appointed secretary to the Prime Minister, Alhaji Abdul Tamawa Bakinwa and by the end of 1959 the newly formed party won the national parliamentary election and Agari also was elected to represent the constituent of Sokoto southwest. Apparently due to his performance in 1960 he was appointed as minister of Economic Development and by 1962 he became the Internal Affairs minister while in 1965 he was Works and Survey minister. By the time the military coup that saw an end to the rein of the First Republic was aborted with a new government formed he went back to his village and concentrated in developing his farm instead of the wild goose chase of wanting to develop humans. Just like a golden fish he could not hide for so long as such his people discovered him and he started working as a councilor for the Sokoto Native Authority. In-between the years that past Agari was not recognized until in 1970 when Gonwalk wanted to spread his government to all parts of the northern Nigeria that he remembered Agari and made him the minister of Economic Affairs and was later made Finance minister.

He studied the files on the desk, work has begun, was all that was in his mind. The swearing in ceremony was so tiring as almost everybody wanted to have a hand shake with the new President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Agari smiled when the files on his desk started diminishing on a word go, he suddenly stopped writing and pressed the bell on top of his desk and the personal secretary to the president was by the door.

I want to see the party officials so that we can be done with all forms of political appointments, Agari said to the personal secretary.

I will get back to you sir once I am done, the secretary replied and walked out of the president’s office.

Meeting of both the Kaduna Mafia and the Sokoto Caliphates which the new president belongs to started with a vote of thanks to all the military leaderships that has made it possible for the civilians to step in: drawing the attention of the newly elected president who sat as if he was not the commander-in-chief of the nation.

His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we will want to thank you for honouring this clarion call, it is simply based on the new appointments which you will be constituting that has made this noble house to call you so we can give you our names for the various slot that befits the northern Nigeria and some of our southern influences that cannot be undermined, the speaker Umar Ciroma said. Pausing he moved over to the president and handed him a list of names and their positions well spelt out.

His Excellency, here are our interests in the appointments into ministerial offices and board appointments, thank you, your Excellency," he said as the president accepted the list from him without delay. The list handed over contain names of most members of the then established constitutional conference by General Olani. As members were selected and elected and within the former members different organizations were formed and a typical example is the one that manifested into the forming of the National Party of Nigeria which Agari is now the leader.

Agari knew that the only man that can dissuade him from any crucial plans was Oramu Donka, his campaign manager and a few money bags in the southern minorities including political nobles in the north. NPN with its motto as One Nation, One Destiny but for easy pronunciation they always say ‘One Nigeria.’ Agari from his school of thought knew he would put in his very best to uphold his belief which was a driving force towards leadership and to promote the motto of the party not minding being at his disadvantage.

To be named on the list were northerners in majority with a few southern Moslems; Housing, Industries, Transportation and Agriculture which was the major goal of his administration were shared among northerners. Oramu Donka was to be named Transportation minister according to the list but he has to ask him to confirm if he likes the portfolio. He wants to quickly as possible reposition as the oil boom era concentrate on building housing estate to provide for the unchartered civil servants and the needy.

President Agari studied the report on his desk: "General as Minister of Petroleum under General Olani, did export refined 100,000 barrels of petroleum products per.

Who was the permanaent secretary? He thought but when he checked the signatory it was Sunday Awoniyi before the Supreme Military Council approved the merger of the Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources which transformed into Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). As NNPC in 1977, General Bello signed the contract for Warri and Kaduna Refinery and more than 20 depots all over the country, and even the laying of 3200 kilometres pipelines. Notwithstanding these major projects they did not borrow a kobo to execute those projects.

The former Petroleum Minister achieved so much success but I can see that there is an issue that is quite contentious: #2.8 billion is said to be missing from where? Agari asked the governor of Central Bank.

It could not have been missing your Excellency, the governor of the Central Bank said. Excellency, it is ridiculous because #2.8 billion couldn’t be missing. Even king of Saudi Arabia could not issue a cheque of #2.8 billion. For when petroleum money is paid, it is put in the country’s external account and no bank will release that amount of money at once since it has been deposited, he added.

Currently we are exporting about 1.82 million barrels a day and the cost of barrel a day is about $18. When you work it out; that #2.8 billion is missing and there is still enough money to run the country. Sir this is a political sabotage by a few Nigerians, Isongi said.

Alhaji Agari ordered for a judicial enquiry as soon as Isongi left his office.

Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Irikalor was mandated to carry out investigation.

Justice Irikalor on resuming hearing on the #2.8 billion set up by the President with terms of reference stipulated by the President himself.

First Day of Tribunal

Anybody that has an idea of the missing #2.8 billion should come forward and presents his evidence, Justice Irikalor said on resuming sitting.

Talib Shodende and Professor Awojola and Femi Ransi-Kuwi were confronted to go and prove their case. And by the time the due came to the tribunal, they came with pieces of paper torn from news papers.

Talib Shodende came forward with his cutting from newspaper where it was mentioned that #2.8 billion was missing.

We cannot accept cuttings from newspapers as evidence on these very vital allegations, Justice Irikalor said.

CHAPTER TWO

1983

In the northern city of Maiduguri stood the military strong tower, a legendary armour town and a make shift headquarter: military men on patrol keeping off intruders from the command building and environs—the building depicting neglect, obviously it was site of a long renovation put to an end suddenly. It was harmattan season; the dust powder stuck and everywhere was dusty when the brigadier walked in with the major general.

For once the dream of our late hero will be actualized, I salute your sensitive initiative, brigadier, but who are the officers in this with you? General Mammod asked. Sir you can speak me perfectly but for others, that is sacred business to dabble into, the brigadier responded.

Ok, you have my support but make sure to be brave and get these whole thing settled because I know that these social misfit politicians can never learn, General Bello advised. Thank you sir, the brigadier responded.

Wait a minute, the general said. How will you handle the President’s son who is supposed to be one of us? he asked. He has no choice but to bow and surrender to the superior force, Brigadier Taju’s face was expressionless as he spoke. Be careful over this business, the general cautioned.

Brigadier Taju was satisfied he has won a new convert. He moved to leave, saluted and walked briskly to the door disappearing through the bushy ally joining the cantonment.

The conspirators were stationed at the bush path leading to the generals’ house and should any negative occurrence chance, the general will seize to exist without a warning sign. The plan was well mapped out by the brigadier himself.

He is gone, that makes the team, we can now advance to case two, the major in charge of the brigadier’s back up team said.

Hours into the night, the conspirators met in a bushy neighborhood in the Ikeja-Ogba area.

Assemble the professionals and have a word, if you can see any light in the tunnel, we will proceed by delaying but if there is any anticipated showdown, then we take down the President at once; but from all I deduce, his son is not a force to reckon with, he was drafted into the MP, (Military Police) by the President after the 1979 election, so he does not have the MP’s training at all, Brigadier Taju said.

That means he will drift and fade away once his old man is down. I know he is in charge of the presidential internal security, Major Dele said.

It is easy for us then, the brigadier said.

Let’s get down to work now, the brigadier continued. Major, move up to the radio station and get the statistics of the count down in the station. Dayo, you are familiar with Dodan barrack’s security network. I will move ahead to brief Brimah on the equation of our unit.

Sir, have you contacted Eweku as advised? Major Dele asked.

Yes, he has also agreed to join the league. He is in total support; actually we both had a conversation that brought out some hidden facts. He is in Onitsha right now, but once he comes back I will visit him.

I hope we are not leaving any captive free? Dele said.

No! Who can remember the word of the trusted hero who relied on the Lagos axis and concentrated in Kaduna only to be misinformed about his men?

What a tragedy, if we can’t think, we must learn from the sad experience Major Kaduna had; goodluck, Major Danal said.

Ok, bye for now; they all dispersed leaving the ally undetected.

President Agari was surrounded by sycophants who told him lies concerning the nation’s economy; his misinformation was causing Nigeria a great extent. He listened to his national adviser on economy as he raised objection to the proposed plan of the minister of transport.

Mr. President, this austerity measure can be tamed to the benefit of the populace, whose bulk is the masses. If only we can change and reverse some of these obsolete policies governing it.

"No, no, you don’t have to discuss that, Oramu Donka said.

But why, the President asked bewildered.

Mr. President, if you go into that, it will trample on my business plans, Donka said.

You mean your business initiative supercedes the national revolutionary plans for change?

How dare you? You are challenging my authority, where were you in 1979, Donka thundered.

I think you are done with this your advisory capacity. Imagine we brought you to come and feast and to share. You are now satisfied and you say we should stop eating to allow you wash your hands.

Mr. President, if I am ever needed for any form of advice I will oblige, but not in the presence of a businessman, that does not have recourse to the plight of common citizens nor practice fairness, even to his nation. I believe we should all have greater interest for our nation, Goodluck Nnaji, the national economic adviser said.

It has not come to that, the President said.

Leave him to go, Donka retorted.

Fairwell-good riddance, the adviser said and left.

Tuning the radio at the presidential villa, coming on air wave, FM radio was the news that: The court sitting in Benin has granted an expertise motion filed against the federal government by the governor of Bendel State, Professor Amos Funsho Ale. Similarly another court has ruled against the President and Federal Government of Nigeria over withholding the funds allotted to Bendel State.

That bastard will not go unpunished, Donka said.

No, it is all right, it is good for democracy, at least Ale will know that we cannot bend without him going through a hard and rough road himself. As such, he will learn from this and turn a new leaf, the pesident said.

You don’t know that governor, he is British trained. Donka retorted. Let’s forget those UPN states and concentrate more on our NPN controlled states, the President said.

Don’t you know who is giving them the drive? It is their leader; Awoo drives his followers with a zealot’s knot—zeal, Donka ephasised.

You are right but in subsequent elections, we are going to feed in more likable candidates in Bendel State to contend with Ale, the president put in.

Ogomuda is the best candidate then, Donka said.

That is a master piece initiative, have you contacted the party leadership in Bendel State? Let them start working on Brigadier Ogomuda, so that he will accept to run against Ale, the president supported.

Don’t worry, Donka said.

Don’t forget Ale has made his mark in Bendel State, so it will not be like whipping a dead horse or getting water from the rock contesting against him, the President feared.

Sensing the President was through with the day’s briefing: When will the election guideline come out? Donka asked. The guideline for the 1983 election will be out by Monday so, you had better call the FEDECO boss and take his briefs so that corrections could be made. We don’t want a repeat of 1979 elections, if not for General Olani; we would have had problems with Awoo winning the election. Imagine what he would have put all the elites through? With Awo’s ideology of an egalitarian society which is obsolete because we are in full control of this upcoming election. Call Oke Whilston now, I want to have a word with him, the President told the political adviser on election matters who just walked in on them.

I will do just that right away, the special adviser said.

The FEDECO boss was about shutting the door when his office landline rang and he hurriedly picked it up.

Yes! he said angrily.

Sir, the S.A to the political adviser to the President is on line 1, the secretary said.

Connect him to this line, he said. She switched the connection and said:

Hello! Sir, my boss wants to speak with you, the secretary told the S.A. Hold on, the S.A said as he linked up. The President wants to have a word with you concerning the upcoming general election.

Ok, I will come over on my way home, Oke Whilston said. I will be on my way in a short while please.

See you then, the S.A said and hung up.

Good morning sir, the security greeted him as he walked in.

Is his Excellency in the study?

No sir, he is asleep, he just came back from a meeting.

Ok, just let him know I came, the chairman house committee on water and energy resources said.

Hon., the governor left a standing order that when ever you come and he is asleep, we should wake him up.

Don’t you think he needs some rest? the Hon. asked.

Sir, that was his orders, it will amount to disobedience and his Excellency will not be pleased with us.

Ok, I will wait, he said. The steward dialed the connecting line to the governors’ pantryman who was always stationed close to his bedroom.

Inform his Excellency that Hon. Emy is here to see him.

Alright! he checked the order list confirming the name; he went straight to the bedroom and opened the door on a single push, and the governor woke up, ‘being a light sleeper,’ before he could enter the room.

Sir, sorry to disturb, but Hon. Emy is here.

Where is he? the governor asked on standing up from the bed. Let him into the inner chamber, I will join him there. Ok, sir, the pantryman said and left.

The governor moved to the bath, he washed his face and dabbed with a face towel. Coming out of the room he went straight to the inner chamber. My able lieutenant, the governor said as he shook hands with Hon. Emy.

How is the legislative arm of the government doing? he asked.

Sir, it’s been a battle field, a very tough fight to win the men back as we cannot slide easily. The speaker visited me last morning wanting to buy me over but I declined. Even this morning at the ‘House’ Hon. Okon came up with a motion to stop the sighting of the University campus at Ekpoma, inferring that Ekpoma is an uninhabitable town for students, who will come from all over the country, but we were on our toes to put up our defences, challenging his claims which was myopic and centered on anti-developmental and bias orientation. We made them to know that there is a fast developmental plan for Ekpoma which is currently the new local government headquarters and as such civil servants will relocate to the town, so it will definitely attract commerce. At the end of the debate we made our points explicit enough, quite a number of our people supported and the yes took the day. I wonder who is sponsoring the speaker and his team of legislators to work against you, Hon Emy continued.

Don’t be bothered by that, we shall crush them all, even with their finance coming from the presidency it will not yield good fruit, Hon Emy laughed. I hope with God on our side, we need not fear nor fret over man’s negative outpouring and plans; it is written, for they will all dwindle with time, he added.

I can’t thank you enough, I cannot express my gratitude. At times I wonder; a ‘House’ without you is a ‘House’ of crisis, His Excellency appreciated.

Thanks for the complement, your excellency, the Hon. accepted.

The pantryman brought a bottle of champagne and two tall wine glasses. We will have to drink to our strong alliance in the ‘House,’ the governor said as the champagne was opened while the two glasses were filled. Cheers to the unity among our men in the ‘House,’ and to the name of our great party, the Unity Party of Nigeria." Hon Emy laughed as he sipped his drink.

"How are madam and the kids doing? Hon Emy asked.

Oh! She is fine; she just left for the U.K with the boys.

Oh! I thought I will be able to see her this time around.

You missed her by the whiskers: school is resuming as summer has winded up.

Alright, I will have to go now, got to tidy cause we have a caucus meeting slated for 21:00 hours, and it is almost 20:00 hours, Hon Emy said.

Okay, say me well to the men; I will surely see you as a group, maybe say in your next meeting. Just let me know when you want to meet.

Goodnight! I won’t fail to do that, the Hon. responded.

And thanks so much Emy, the governor gratified.

Pre-Election 1983

For us to win this election and come over board victorious we have to buy over these UPN legislators; you know they are very influential in their constituencies, the NPN party chairman said.

Ok! You do the disbursement personally, the governorship aspirant said.

I am very critical about that legislator you people visited; I mean the governor’s anchor man in the ‘House.’

We shall deliver; just ensure the logistics are made available.

That is not a problem, the governorship aspirant said.

We shall do our very best, the leader of the campaign team said.

I do not want to engage in a struggle I am not quite familiar with, the aspirant said.

That is all for today. Now let us meet our strategies on the election proper. You know FEDECO is supposed to come up with the blue print of the election guidelines.

Sir! a call just came in, the national chairman wants to speak with you, the aspirant’s secretary informed him.

Hello! a meeting is slated for all governorship aspirants. You are to come along with your election implementation plans, stating how you will win without difficulties, the national chairman said.

I will do that sir, the aspirant said.

How is the mosquito campaign coming along? the chairman asked.

We are moving round to woo all the UPN legislators to our side, he replied.

Ensure all goes smoothly; I will be in touch on our future plans before the meeting. See you then at the meeting; bye for now, the line went dead.

I know all eyes would be on me; how an opposition will unseat an incumbent governor, the aspirant said aloud. It’s no doubt the advantage you have is, your past antecedence, he thought.

Mind you, you have ruled in the time of Midwest as a military governor and you did quite exceptionally well, the state party chairman said.

Thank you my brother, I have had this confusion over and over again, considering Ale’s antecedence of good governance too, more so his working closely with his party faithfuls and elders. Our best bet to win the state is obvious; we cannot win if we conduct a free, fair and credible election as such we must influence FEDECO to be able to rig and win the election in our favour, the aspirant laughed. My brother I must be sincere with you, it is a herculean task for us all, and even when we tend to rig it will still be very cumbersome, the man reasoned.

Roads leading to Benin GRA were all closed as the NPN internal security operatives met with the governorship aspirant in his residence. Yes I know the task is not an easy one but we just have to win, that is the bottom line, the governorship aspirant said. Get those men ready, they have to be inducted on how to manipulate the election.

That will be taken care of promptly sir, the head of the security team said.

Outside the aspirant’s house, heavy chested Iyaro boys sat to ‘Akpukavin’ drink and ready for action at any given point in time.

The guideline for the election is ready, have you seen a copy? the advisor asked.

No! I was briefed yesterday by the FEDECO boss and there he showed me the same paper you agreed with him in your last meeting. Anyway, you get your house in order, do the right thing and you will have no course to regret, the President advised.

Boys, the head of security called. You guys must not allow voting in any strong UPN domain.

Roger down, the men said as he dropped a bundle of twenty naira bills on the floor.

Emy Primary School, a major polling unit for the conduct of the election was scanty—few people were seen busying around but doing nothing; there was reluctance to vote. The time was 12:00 hour when the legislator came to the centre. On a Saturday like this the whole people are supposed to come out en-masse for this election, Steven, a UPN party faithful from Ndokwa West Constituency said.

No! didn’t you get the information from the party leader? UPN is boycotting the election because of the way Ale was rigged out of office; even Ale has threatened to go to court, the party secretary said. So better inform your people there is no point for them to come out, the election of last week was marred with so much controversy. Can you imagine when the police man who was on duty at Obiaruku Grammar School was asked to confirm the election, my! I was there when the police was called.

‘Come oh!’ Bili called. ‘I don’t understand what is going on here, can you stay here for the result to be counted in your presence.’

Let me repeat the counting in your presence, the FEDECO man counting said confidently: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 100.

Wait a minute, can you see that? the polling agent asked.

Oga the man is correct na! is that the reason why you called me? please continue, the policeman said and walked away. This is all bullshit, I am out of here. That is virtually what happened in all the collation centres. Why won’t our governor go to court, he will win for sure," the party secretary said angrily.

Thank you so much for your support; if not for you we would have had a tight one with these unrelenting fighters, the NPN party faithful said.

Never worry that is why I am here to serve you, the FEDECO man said.

Do us a favor in the subsequent election; ensure that the score card result is highly placed with the NPN margin far higher than the UPN, the party man persuaded.

That is not a problem. As soon as the result is announced you will know that we did a good job this time around, he replied.

Now that you have fulfilled your part, I have to reciprocate; here is the pack as agreed.

Oh! thank you so much, the FEDECO chairman said on accepting the brown carton. He opened it and taking a deep breath, he smiled seeing the neatly stacked bills of 20 naira notes in the carton. The bills stock piled in the carton, one more thanks, he said as the party faithful approached the door.

You can check out of the hotel now as the whole election result is out, the man advised.

I will be on my way right out, the FEDECO man said.

Bye for now, the chairman said on seeing him to the door.

The FEDECO chairman rushed to the room and picked up the carton but said: No need let me get home before confirming the true figure. He closed the hotel room door walking to the reception; he picked up his car keys from the reception.

Thank you, sir! can I help you with the carton? the receptionist asked.

No thanks, he said as he walked along; he got to his car position. Stepping into the car he placed the keys in the ignition hole, the car engine sparked and started on first kick. He reversed and headed for the gate.

Have you delivered to the FEDECO chairman, that thief? the president asked.

Yes oh! I could not have been able to tame him, if he was not aware of the pack of money, the national chairman said. That is settled though we have the court matter to worry but the good thing is that our governor will be sworn in next week, the president pacified.

The FEDECO chairman in a hurry to get home bashed the side of his gate; he parked his car in the garage. Where is this boy, he called?

Sir! I am here, the driver said rushing to his side.

Bring the carton from the boot.

"Yes sir and the driver carried the carton to the sitting room.

Leave it here, he said. As the driver left he moved the carton to the room. He opened the carton and the first bills glittered; he neatly arranged them in his brief case. He uncovered the first line of 20 naira bills but felt his eyes were deceiving him and he went to put on the light. Just as he came back to the carton position and sighted the bread advert label: ‘Nova bread is delicious;’ he screamed and let loose, falling he was unconscious.

The driver hearing the scream knew his boss was home alone as this was his guest house so, he rushed into the sitting room knocking on the room door sporadically but seeing there was no response from the room he entered and his boss lay on the floor.

Oga! Oga! Oga! the driver shouted but there was no response. Help! he screamed alerting the security man who rushed into the room and rushed out almost instantaneously shouting: Help! Help! the security man called out. Passersby stopped to see what was happening and the compound was crowded as the security man could not contain himself. My oga is dying oh! Please come and help oh! Some neighbours rushed into the room carrying the FEDECO chairman up, they placed him on the sofa.

Not here, let us take him to the hospital, a neighbour advised.

Ok, we will do just that, the driver said as he put on the air conditioner when he noticed the chairman was still breathing; they carried him to the car. Straight open the gate, the compound was crowded and the security man was still panting. My oga is dying oh! please come and help oh! he continued.

Open the gate, the neighbours who do not on normal days have free access into the compound said.

On the way to the hospital the FEDECO chairman opened his eyes. Where am I, he said.

Oh oga! thank God you are awake, the driver said smiling.

Take me back home, the chairman said on seeing the security man in the car. What happened? he nquired.

Master we came to see you lying on the floor and some bread paper were in a carton by your side, they both told him.

I have heard. Now reverse the car and take me back home. Those bastards tricked me, he said softly.

‘OBSERVER’ NEWS PRINT’

(Front page)

FEDECO CHAIRMAN COLLAPSED ON

RECEIVING ‘BREAD PAPER’ IN PLACE

OF NAIRA NOTES’

Fedeco chairman collapsed on receiving bread paper stacked full a carton in place of naira notes, was in the front page of ‘Observer’ and ‘Daily Times’ on Monday morning: workers stopped off at the vendor stand to read the day’s news print. Mammoth crowd gathered at ring road Benin City reading the headline on the ‘Daily Times’ newspaper.

Why, good for him, I think justice has caught up with him, Ifram said.

Imagine with all the good work Ale has done for the people of Bendel State you will now declare NPN of all parties as winner of the election. He has to face his warrant, an observer said as the argument persisted.

Please let me go now to my work place after all that is where I get my daily bread from oh, not all these impostors who take bribe money, a tall lanky guy said and the whole people dispersed gradually leaving the vendor standing alone on his own.

So they could not pay for the services rendered? the governor said.

Has he agreed to testify in court? the party leader asked.

Yes of course! he was arrested by NSO men that very evening. We can’t take chances, the governor said. Not until he assumes office the law has to take its course, he added.

Thank you oh, the party elder said. I am satisfied with this as it is, once he testifies in court, we are sure of winning. My people said I should let you know they still have faith in you as a person, the party elder said.

Thank you; I appreciate your support from Warri axis, he told Chief Okudagba.

Please let me just go out and be won, with that I will know I have tried my best instead of just phasing out without a trial, the House of Representative aspirant said.

Forget it my brother, why will you go and waste your time, it is of no use, the former ‘house’ member said.

Ok, we shall adhere to the words of wisdom from our governor, the representative man agreed.

Make sure you file in the court papers today; I don’t want us to miss out the point. First you must state the un-conducive nature of the electioneering process. With the FEDECO man’s confessional statement we have a place, the ‘House of Assembly’ candidate said.

1983 General Election

Pa Ajonse looked at the score sheet of the election result, he was dismayed. His supporters took to the streets, we have to burn all of them people, they chanted in Yoruba. Bonfire everywhere they went, fire everywhere, they moved to an elite’s residence; Chief Nika was not at home, an egg was conjured and stoned at the house wall and the house caught fire; confusion inside the house, the people inside the house struggled to get out of the house but could not find escape route; they all got burnt. The rioters mobilized to all Ajonse’s oppositions homes; massive destruction rocked the whole city. Just like Molotov cocktail, the flameable was more sophisticated as it ignited fire on a singular touch on the bottle hitting the wall. Men denounced being opposition as they were burnt alive and angry men mobilized to FEDECO’s office. The rioters took offence without remorse, and the opposition went into hiding.

Nika, Ajonse’s opponent put off the television and the radio, he was breathing profusely. He ran down stairs. Gbenga, he shouted and the driver was beside the car.

Oga, what is the matter? the driver asked.

Get in, I am finished, he said not replying to the question. Take me to FEDECO’S office now, Nika feared.

Please reverse Ondo’ State’s result, I cannot rule the state. Please give it to Pa Ajonse; he is the people’s mandate, he submitted. The Lagos State commissioner was not surprised as he narrowly escaped being lynched by mobs on his way from Ondo town; he communicated through the land line.

Chief Nika is here with me; he says we should announce Pa Ajonse as winner of the Ondo State gubernatorial election, the FEDECO commissioner said.

Good, Nika did not win the election, I did tell them from onset that the Yorubas are volatile people when it comes to election matters; I will reverse the result and announce Pa Ajonse as the winner immediately to restore peace, the FEDECO boss said.

Radio Nigeria

Pa Ajonse is the authentic winner of the Ondo State gubernatorial election with a total score of 300,000 votes as against 121,435, Chief Nika 101,978. We are sorry for the mix up, the FEDECO boss said and the television went off.

Pa Ajonse walked the streets of Ondo State celebrating with his teaming supporters. After the rain comes sunshine. Our state will shine by God, Pa Ajonse said as he addressed his supporters.

Moments later, the radio came on: Agari is the authentic winner of the general election result, Awonowo was declared winner in error, Paul Ine said.

Inside FEDECO office, Paul Ine held a sheet of paper, he handed it to the NPN man standing by the wall. We must change these figures because of litigations coming up. But the election result has been announced, even with the reversion, let it not be that we are taking the people for granted, Ine said pleadingly. I have stomach pain but I can manage, he said in a soft tone.

Ine is no more, how sudden and how death came knocking on his door is a mystery, the people gathered at Paul Ine’s residence in Benin City.

What must have led to the death of a very healthy man; no form of sickness, this is mysterious. Two days ago, he announced the Agari winning as against Awonowo; he was sound and healthy but why? Ngozi asked wiping the tears off her eyes.

The country witnessed another phase of lawlessness as people were attacked, demonstration pervading the court rooms as the election petition tribunal sat in Benin City.

You may call your witness; the judge said smiling when the NPN people failed to produce a witness for the case. "Tomorrow, FEDECO will come up with its defence; don’t tell me you are not prepared, the judge said with a warning note in his voice.

CHAPTER THREE

1983 MILITARY COUP—Dec. 31, 1983

2nd Lieutenant P. Abodo came out of the parade ground accomplished as he has successfully completed his four years sojourn in the Nigerian Defence Academy. He moved over to the posting section where all the newly graduated officers waited to collect their posting letters. When his time to collect his posting letter came he was so excited that he slipped from his eager position to collect his posting letter.

Take it easy, the officer in charge said. But the newly graduated officer was so elated that he collected his posting and his new posting was the Dodan Barrack, Lagos.

Officers of the Nigeria army, now that you have received your deployment letters, you will have to get your passes before you embark on your journey to your new location, the officer announced. It was then the new graduates understood that what they have learnt from school days at the defence academy was real; you cannot travel without permission though it was practiced when they were in the academy but this was real life outer world situation.

Early in the morning the new graduates assembled at the defence departure unit where they were all called into the awaiting military truck.

If you know you are for the south come over here, the major