PART 4
“ I AM PRESIDENT MAMUD”
©️Opeyemi O. Akintunde
Prof Ashkian sat at his table for dinner, but food wasn’t going past his mouth.
“ Who does he think he is, what does he know about politics? We thought he would be a puppet that was why we allowed him to have that seat, now he wants to fight us…”
“ Father point of correction! You didn’t put him there, the people did. They voted for him! I VOTED for him!” Bereto, Prof Ashkian ‘s only son said to him across the table. His daughters were also seated on the table. Ladies were not allowed to speak about politics in Professor Ashkian’s house, so on that matter his wife and two daughters kept mute despite having so much to say…
“ You voted for him because I said you should!” Prof Ashkian said to Bereto
“ No! I voted on my own volition!” Bereto was the only one who could look his father in the eye…
“ Well, I am still part of those who made him become president, because we made the election free and fair. We could have rigged the election” Prof Ashkian said arrogantly
Bereto laughed so hard his stomach did hurt him…
“ Father, there was no way you could have rigged this election… It was a One man election as far as everyone was concerned or did you think people would have accepted Hidoko as President. That Proud thing! I will do better as a cleaner than Hidoko will do as a president!” Bereto said
Prof Ashkian realized he had lost this battle with Bereto, all the youths of Nirato were Mamud lovers. He could never do wrong in their eyes….
“ How do I get rid of this boy, before he destroys my source of livelihood?” Professor Ashkian thought silently as he relaxed into his dining chair….
The education sector was his source of income. For years he had entered a secret aggreement with the Iskelon government. As long as he encouraged people to attend the Iskelon schools and pay exorbitant fees, he got 20% on every student fee.
Mamud was about to stop his flow of income if he introduced the closed border form of education.
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“ Can you tell me a little about Professor Ashkian?” Mamud had invited a close friend of Professor Ashkian to the Nirato Presidential quarters. Mamud had made his findings. Ashkian and this friend of his had gone their separate ways when things went sour between them,but from reliable source, Mamud was told that this friend of his knew Ashkian like the back of his hands…
“ Knowing Ashkian well, he is already plotting your downfall, be it death or something less severe but could ruin your career.” His friend said
“ Like?” Mamud asked
“ A scandal or possibly Blackmail . Mr President, I hope you don’t have a terrible past or buried secrets that could be a weapon in the hands of Ashkian. I am sorry if you do, I will suggest you dance to Ashkian’s tune or tender your resignation, because if Ashkian finds this secret of yours, he will make a mess of you!” Ashkian’s friend said and fear immediately gripped Mamud’s heart…
A buried secret?
What he had in his past was beyond a buried secret…His past was a Mess.
To be continued
