PART 33
“I AM PRESIDENT MAMUD”
©Opeyemi Ojerinde Akintunde
“You are the President and you have a certain level of immunity…” Ashkian said trying to convince Mamud at the Presidential quarters.
“Mr President, I will not step in as the President. I am satisfied with being the Vice President..” Venosa said
“Venosa, you will be fine and you will do great… Leaders are not born, they are made!”
Ashkian and Venosa didn’t know what to do, they didn’t get this self- righteousness.
“This is not about self-righteousness, this is about sacrifice and setting the tone of justice in Nirato. This will also serve as more than a caution for the upcoming ones. Let’s teach Action and consequences. Let the Nirato youths know that politics is not a safe haven for criminals and that no one is above the Law! If I go scot-free with the death of Sowak, then it will teach the citizens that whatever crime you commit can be erased once you are in power!”
Ashkian couldn’t say a word again..
“Venosa, get me arrested, become the President and let Ashkian become your Vice. I wouldn’t want Hidoko near the Presidential quarters. He won’t do Nirato any good!”
Ashkian froze on the spot…
Him as Vice President?
If only President Mamud knew half of the evil things he had done in Nirato, He would never consider him worthy to hold any public office.
“All I need from you is that the state takes care of my wife and daughters.“ Venosa knew this Battle could not be won!
*************
“Why?” Yenewa asked Mamud
Mamud had given Yenewa a pass to visit him anytime pending he left the presidential quarters
“Trying to right my wrongs when I still have the time. If I had been punished for killing Fila back then, I won’t have killed Sowak. The more we cover our errors, the more we are likely to make more!”
“Are you trying to be the sacrificial lamb for Nirato, because if that is the plan, you don’t have to… You can’t purge Nirato with your blood!” Yenewa asked
“Yenewa, please since Isire hasn’t come back, please take care of Sebrena. She still sees you as her Mother and does not remember me as her father.
“Your wife will come back!”
*************
Ashkian wept like a baby in his room. He knew he was a devil. He casted his mind back to the time he had genuine love for Nirato, the time politics burned in his veins. He remembered coming into politics very genuine but meeting the political elders on board changed his orientation about politics…
They had told him Politics was a game and as in every game, there were losers and winners. He was told the politicians were the winners and the populace were the losers.
President Mamud was teaching him what no political person had ever taught “Leadership by Sacrifice!” Ashkian said out loudly
“Setting the stage by being the experimental element to be used!” Bereto replied his father from the doorway
“Mamud could have been the best President Nirato could have had….”
***********
“Why?” Minatu asked Mamud
“I have to do what is right?” Mamud said
“You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to prove a point…!” “Jesus did!” Mamud said “That is true leadership”
“His was divine, he came to fulfill a purpose!”
“I am fulfilling purpose, I don’t have to seat as a president to fulfill purpose, and my resigning from office for a wrong I committed could pass a stronger message to the people of Nirato than for me to sit on the throne for 8 years changing nothing….”
************
A staff of Hidoko Released Isire around 2am.
“Ma, your husband is teaching the whole of Nirato that doing the right thing even if it hurts you is what makes you Noble, I have decided to do my part for Nirato. I know I have automatically lost my Job, but some defeats are better than victories. “
**************
Isire got to the presidential quarters around 3:30am with the help of the cab man the lady hired for her.
The security personnel were shocked to see her looking scruffy and lean.
“You are welcome, First Lady, but please with all due respect ma, please can I inform the President you are around!” Said one of the security personnel
Isire understood he was doing his job, she was an enemy now. No woman who betrayed her Husband should be treated as friend, but she wanted to ask for Mamud’s forgiveness and clearly state that all she said was what Hidoko forced her to do. She also wanted him to use his power as president to get back Minaya from Hidoko.
“Ok sir!” Said the security personnel over the phone. Isire wasn’t sure what “Ok sir” meant…
To be continued
