A Dirty Game

Chapter Ten

73 Ten here was a business magnet called Felix Akonte. He had started business by retailing nails and door hinges. Upon the years, he had expanded his business to a company known as Société Bonpi. Bonpi had closed down once when Felix took off his hands the business due to high taxes. But when other small scale businessmen encouraged him to incorporate the business with others under the name of Bonpi, it became the largest in the country. Bonpi was a company dealing with the distribution of building materials and other related goods. It boomed more than ever before and employed thousands of people. Akonte was a stepbrother to Hansel. He was almost absent in politics though was close to many staunch militants of the SDF. For that reason, he was suspected of pumping money into the party. He was the main shareholder of Bonpi. Angwe Ndi was the managing director. Though not involved in politics like before, he sympathised with the SDF. For that lone reason, he was suspected of also giving financial assistance to the party. * * * * It was a bright though wet April day. The sun was setting. A heavy Jeep approached Chief Petro’s residence. Fon Petro was a huge man with excessive appetites for big posts. His authoritative, commanding appearance expressed such an attitude. He had just retired from work and was lying on a sofa and in a deep snore. On a stool beside him was a bottle of Beck’s beer. His wife was in the room and his children far behind the house. Perhaps he was dreaming of his earthly comforts. The gateman entered and shook him awake. He stretched himself T 74 in annoyance. As if he had been dreaming comfortably, he asked in a crocket voice, ‘What do you want?’ ‘The mayor and some others are here,’ said the gateman. ‘Should I let them in?’ ‘No. It must be a big issue. Let them into the visitors’ sitting room. I will be right there.’ Not too long, a man laboured behind a big stomach from a passageway, then into the visitors’ sitting room. He was breathing with difficulties and was so uneasy. The four political figures sat. ‘The Lord Mayor,’ shouted Chief Petro as if he wasn’t informed about the mayor’s presence. ‘The indomitable chief in person…’ responded the mayor stretching his hand to greet. ‘You’re right.’ Petro rushed out and dashed back. Then a houseboy entered a few minutes later with a tray of wine glasses and champagne flutes. ‘There is champagne, wine, beer, fruit juice and others. What can my boy offer you to…?’ In chorus and in happy but crocket voices, they gave different choices. ‘I need some beer for today not spirit,’ Foti said. ‘Only Beck’s beer is available. Do you like it?’ ‘That’s even much better.’ They all began to sip from various glasses. There, was the mayor, the Southwest campaign manager, Muna Siri, the Delegate of Education for the Southwest region, Fomba and the Southwest general manager for electricity, Jean Pierre. Jean Pierre was popularly known as JP. He had been in the region since a decade. Foti dropped his glass on the table and leaned backwards with his index finger on his beard. ‘Chief, what do you think of the sponsors of the opposition?’ he asked. ‘What do you mean?’ asked Chief Petro. 75 ‘I mean there are lots of threats from the militants who keep squandering large sums.’ ‘You’re right. We need much money to persuade the people. Otherwise, we risk losing the stand especially in this subdivision.’ There was silence for some seconds. The campaign manager, Muna breathed heavily and sipped from his glass as if he wanted to add something. ‘Chief,’ he said, ‘there are many strategies apart from serious campaigns.’ ‘Yeah…’ ‘I mean deal away with Bonpi.’ ‘How does that work?’ ‘Let’s pursue them with high taxes and sue them for nuisance. You know, the company has just been yanked from crisis. The least interruption would possibly lead to a decline and people like Akonte and Ndi will go bankrupt. If these financial devils fall, the party within this subdivision too will fall.’ ‘That’s a point. But you need to know that Bonpi has got one of the most radical lawyers in town.’ ‘That’s right,’ said the Foti. ‘Let’s just try and if it goes bad, we...