A Dirty Game

Chapter Seventeen

125 Seventeen oti continued to control the council. One Friday early morning, the mayor leaned on a sofa at the waiting room answering a call. A man of about thirty years of age entered after a knock. ‘Please,’ said Foti, motioning his hand to the outside direction, ‘wait there.’ The man with a manila file humbled out. Then, Foti walked in to his own office after he dropped the call. From his own office room, he dialled again and said, ‘Sorry, someone obstructed me. We will talk later.’ It was 8 am. The secretary of council as she appeared to be wasn’t there. The passageway that was a waiting room and a secretary’s office was still empty. She was still to come. The mayor had created the post of secretary of council. Council laws didn’t provide for such jobs in his municipality at that time. Foti was good in creating such jobs right from the time he was managing a first division football club. ‘Please, can I help you? Come up to me. The secretary is not yet there.’ The man walked in fast. ‘Good morning, Lord Mayor.’ ‘Good morning. How can I help you?’ ‘My name is Wilson Tah.’ He stammered for several seconds and chocked mute. He had something to say but appeared shy. ‘Are you ready to talk, Sir?’ ‘Yes, Sir,’ responded Wilson. ‘I have just heard that about five hundred private nurses will be absorbed by the government next month…’ ‘Yes,’ interrupted Foti. ‘You want integration, is that what you mean?’ ‘Yes, Sir. Yes, Sir… I want to…’ ‘Do you have the qualification?’ he asked trying to make out which family bears the name Tah. F 126 ‘You said you are Tah. Are you related to Tah Tebo popularly known as TT?’ ‘He is my father.’ ‘Oh, I see. He formed the Njang dance now sung on many occasions.’ ‘You are correct, Sir.’ ‘How did he compose such amazing songs and the unique ways of dancing? I know you were still very young then.’ This time, the mayor was relaxed on his face. ‘It was an inspiration from a song he heard.’ ‘Really? Where did he hear it?’ ‘When he once left for the Far North region to trade in cola nuts…’ ‘TT is dormant in politics. Is that?’ Wilson was quiet. He smiled. The mayor looked at him expecting something. ‘Which party does he support, SDF?’ ‘No, Sir, he is of the CPDM.’ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Yeah.’ ‘I have never heard of that, and you?’ ‘You know my father is getting too grey and isn’t active enough.’ ‘And you, where do you lean?’ ‘I’m a member of the youth league (YL) of the ruling party.’ YL’s main objective was to sensitise youths on democracy and the advantages of joining such a democratic party as CPDM. Membership was free. All members were supposed to have small cards that identified and gave them the right to attend CPDM prayer meetings for free of charge. ‘Do you have YL card?’ ‘I do Sir.’ Wilson responded searching his pockets. He gave it to him. It was new. Upon the years, one of the 127 conditions to fulfil if one wanted a government job was to be a member of the ruling party. ‘… But it is just days old. Isn’t it a ploy to convince me?’ ‘No, Sir. I had an old one but misplaced it.’ At this time, the secretary of council just entered the waiting room and a few people were desperately hovering there with files. The mayor could get the buzz from those waiting. ‘Close that door,’ he said to Wilson while studying the card. ‘Where and for how long have you been practising?’ ‘I have been working at the Kobi private clinic for two years immediately after I completed from the Nursing Aid training.’ Foti swayed his head from side to side. Then he said, ‘The government needs people with five years working experience to register them as state nurses. You know you lack some experience. You still need some time.’ Qualified candidates were supposed to compile documents and post them to the capital city for examination. Wilson stood there still expecting the mayor to say something promising. ‘Do you know you lack the qualification?’ he repeated starring steadily at him. ‘Please, just help me, Sir.’ ‘How do I help you? You aren’t even an active...