Forgive the Godfather

2: A meeting of godfathers

Three well respectable men were sited in the large, spacious living room of a detached duplex that was owned by one of the men, who was their host.

These men were regarded as the movers and shakers of the city, the kingmakers of the State of Ajuba.

Although they were not publicly recognized as politicians, they were the powers behind the scenes who pulled the invisible strings. They were referred to as the 'godfathers'.

They influenced the election of the men who eventually emerged as the governor of the State. To become the governor you had to have their annointing, without which it was almost nearly impossible to ascend to the seat of power.

Josa Gitu was the host of the meeting of these powerful men. He was a man of huge stature. He could be anywhere between sixty-seven and seventytwo. He had inherited millions of naira from his father who had amassed wealth from exporting local farm produce during the hay days of agricultural boom, before the discovery of oil.

The house in which they were meeting was one among the many houses and landed properties that Josa Gitu owned, scattered across the length and breadth of the country.

"I hear that Labo has indicated interest in the coming election," Josa said, nonchalantly. "I hear that he

wants to become governor. How true is that?"

Dam Apu, tall, slender, also a man of wealth and power, was sitting on Josa's right. He was around seventy.

Dam cleared his throat. "So I heard," he said in his usual high pitched voice.

Josa and Dam turned, looked expectantly at Gab Masoki, who was siiting on Joda's left, who had so far not contributed to the subject matter under discusssion.

Gab was a retired Inspector General of Police, who was living comfortably in retirement. He was around sixty-six, spent most of his time tending to his farm, which spanned several hectares .

As a former police IG, the other two men expected him to have all the authentic information on any subject pertaining the State.

Gab grinned, stretched out his long thick legs. In his big coarse hand was a balloon glass, half-filled with red wine. He raised the glass to his thin lips, siped a little.

"That is a fact," he informed his two his friends.

Josa and Dam did not say anything. They continued to stare at Gab, expecting more from the former police IG.

Gab continued, "I know this for fact because two days ago, he announced to his friends at his daughter's birthday party, that he intended to

participate in the coming election."

"Which position is he interested in?" this came from Dam.

Gab laughed. "What do you think? Labo will not be interested in anything less than the governor."

"How come we don't know about it?" Josa asked, looking offended. "To be presice, how come Josa Gitu doesn't know about it? Why am I only hearing the news from other people?"

"I thought by now it was public knowledge," Gab replied.

Josa waved his hand at the slender man to his right. "Dam here doesn't know about it either. Or has he informed you, Dam?"

Dam shook his head, "No one has informed me."

"But I heard," Gab said, "and that is what I'm telling both the two of you."

"But of course you ought to know," Josa acknowledged. "As a former IG, you are always on the grapevine. You hear everything."

Dam leaned forward, his watery eyes probing. "Did he tell you himself personally, or someone else told you?"