By Bisi Ojediran

Be it IBB’s “stepping aside”, OBJ’s Third-Term attempt, Yar’ Adua’s health, Mamadou Tandja of Niger Republic’s tenure elongation, the decision to stay or leave is never an easy one. The scenarios are the same in the Third World. While some get under pressure to leave, others come under pressure to defy all odds to stay on. Easy perhaps, if it is one man’s decision or if it involves no collateral damage. In very many cases, a major problem is the President’s men.

I learnt about many cases during my research for a book on tenure elongation across Africa. Isolation in the name of protection and paranoia are some of the popular ways of controlling the President, but the forces behind the critical issue of leaving or continuing in power could get really scary. I have tried to string some of the arguments, usually bizarre, in a faction here:

From the outside of the high-rise, only the dim hallway security lights were visible unless you looked really close at the third floor of the four-storey security block. A tiny office at the corner of that floor was illuminated by a small overhead illusory light. This was very unusual meeting considering it was a little past 4:00 AM.

All six of them had been invited an hour before by a former military General believed to be one of the President’s fiercest loyalists who knew the secrets of all the President’s men.

Sim, had gained enormous wealth and power representing the interests of big politicians. From the days of the military governments, he had survived the many changes in government to remain ensconced in that nation’s corridors of power.

That had earned him juicy contracts, through which he’d built up the foreign reserves of his benefactors. In turn, their collective guilt and gratitude insulated him from the negative effects of whatever power games his sponsors played.

For a man who had the power to pull down the house on his benefactors, he also knew there was only one way to silence or punish him: Death! So in addition to ensuring he was trusted by the President, he was very careful of others.

For this meeting he made all six people to swear to an oath before entering the meeting room where only distorted shapes of people could be seen in the red illusory light. After the oath, each person had been assigned a number, and was to be called by that number only. They were three key ministers, a top security operative, chief strategy adviser and a member of the President’s family. They used microphones which had the effect of distorting their voices to make identification impossible.

“I am Five,” the meeting opened. “I had thought that in his current state of shock, the President would be convinced some people want him out of power for selfish reasons.”

“Hmm!” a heavy chorus interrupted him.

“ I followed that with the argument of how his achievements will be rubbished and the loss his departure will cost the country. I have argued my points strongly to him and I believe others here have.”

“Yes, I did. I’m One.” Sim made sure he attended the meeting, and from where he sat in the adjoining office monitoring, he was sure One would speak his mind. He was one of the masterminds of the agenda to convince the President to stay on.

This early morning, he chewed a kola nut to stay alert. “I have told him to ignore the noise of the opposition in the media and rather to listen to the silent voices of the majority of the people who love his sincerity and his fear of God.”

“That was a good one,” someone said, drawing sighs from some others.

One continued: “I have told him that although some foreign countries want him to leave at the end of his tenure or even before then, there are others who want him to stay on for the country to realise the full potentials of its mineral resources….”

A shrilling laughter cut in, and then, “don’t mind the Americans. Is Egypt not their ally? Do they think the system of government there is a democracy?” Someone said, “Please continue,” he added.

“Thank you,” One took over. “You see, he seemed to agree with me when I said his administration has moved the country forward in ways that were considered unthinkable. He also agreed that although presidents seem to get elected properly, they afterwards act like they’ve been awarded the job. It happens quite too often around the world.”

“I’m Three,” another muffled voice took over. “I came off with a different view when I spoke with Mr. President. He seems determined to leave as soon as possible. He told me he is not as vibrant as before and anybody wishing him to stay longer than necessary may be wasting his or her time. On that night he looked tired.”

“Liar!” An angry participant shouted.

“Let’s keep our calm, gentlemen,” someone said after a loud silence. “Three, please continue.”

“Thanks,” Three resumed his contribution. “We all know the President is a very principled man. He said he is aware that there are committees and ministries in the administration that are in the middle of some important projects. That, he knows they are concerned they will be unable to complete those tasks before a new president takes office.”

“Of course, everyone knows that every new president will bring in as many of his own people as possible. The next leader will not want any leftover, even if they are at the peak of their performance. Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I am Two.”

He paused and continued. “They talk about continuity in government, but practically, a new man means that we are all out of the power equation. The realignment of forces means that we become ordinary members of the country, and the truth is that I don’t know anybody here who has made enough money to live on forever.”

A heavy silence fell on the meeting.

There was a disgruntled sigh then someone spoke, “and of course, there are people here who have their eyes on higher political office. All that dream will die prematurely.”

“This is Three. The last speaker did not identify his number, but let me finish what I was saying. I was reminding us of my impression that deep inside him, the President has the country at heart. He said he has planted the vegetables and once he is gone, a new farmer will have to tend the garden.”

Sim, had been anxious to hear from the President’s cousin, who was sure to speak for the President’s wife. He spoke at last: “I’m Six. Gentlemen, of course we all understand why we want the President to continue. It may be of selfish interest but that is the practical thing everybody will wish…”

“That is very correct, I’m Two. We have to be realistic.”

“Thank you,” Six continued. “As concerned family members, some of us, and I must add that it is not all of us, some of us have been prevailing on him to stay, but he is a very stubborn man, you know? He keeps his key decisions quiet and once they have been made, nobody changes his mind.”

He stopped at the shuffling of feet of some nervous participants and continued. “The way we handle him is that once we suspect he has an unfavourable decision, we don’t give him the opportunity to verbalise it,” he paused to swallow.

“The truth is that you people in government surprise me. If you need the President this much, by now you should have built a strong and loud army of sycophants and praise singers all over the place. And his information and communication people should be feeding the media and the public with why he wants to stay on to finish his programmes. Stuffs like that.”

Four spoke at last to the delight of Sim: “I’m Four. I agree with the last speaker. We also told him we have security reports on the extravagant lifestyles and sinister motives of the people who would possibly succeed him and I think he is beginning to understand that all his achievements would be squandered within months of his vacation from office. He has also been made to believe why some people want him dead and all that seems to scare him. He was beginning to worry that the country will be in flames by the time he leaves…”

“Aha!” Someone said in satisfaction. “I think we should continue along that line, pumping fear into him and making him feel larger than life. If he loves the country as someone said, then he should be concerned that his departure will set the country on fire. Sorry, I’m Two,” he apologised for not identifying himself.

“Yea,” the others chorused.

But Three held a different view. He said, “gentlemen let’s not waste our time. We may not be opportune to see all the pressure and pain he is going through, but if you ask me, the President will leave at the next opportunity….”

“Shut up!”, “Nonsense!”, “Idiot!” a hail of insults and banging of the table drowned him.

Suddenly, a voice came on the speaker, “gentlemen the popular position is that we continue to try until Mr. President speaks for himself. For now Four, as the most senior person, will implement all the action items.” That was Sim.