“Saturdays Are For Taking Stock.”

Richard is looking at his office. It has always been strange to him. The first time he saw it, he was a new governor coming to ask the then President to launch some bridge and provide several other favours. He did not think he would ever be here. He did not feel comfortable in the chair, and he had changed it three times already. He has tried incense, candles, even let a few pastors and imams pray over the place but nothing could change the smell of the place to him. He never sits on the chair unless he has to. He works on the sofa, shoes off, file on the centrepiece table, briefcase beside him and paper on his lap as he reads and signs and huffs and puffs.

When his door rings, he presses the button to open the door without thinking twice. All are welcome to the Head of State, he likes to joke.

This time it is Chuks. He does not go back to his desk.

-are you hiding or working?

-both

-what is happening at the residence?

-something with orphans or orphanages. I did my bit.

-ahhh, my constituency

-at least they left you a lot of money

-that they did

-what’s up?

-I was reading that Agric bill again

-like it less or more?

-afraid of excessive subsidies and not sure we should write it into a law

-yeah, but that is the first part of it. the land part is the tricky bit. The reserves and ranches

-yeah, one problem at a time

Richard sits up and lets the paper he is reading fall to touch the breakfast on the floor.

-I have been here for hours

-thirty minutes

-time for lunch

They eat, where he always likes to eat, in the open garden that he likes to call an atrium. He does not really know what an atrium is.

-did you see our approval ratings?

-yes. Mad high so I do not trust them.

-early and we get a bounce for doing the ministers so fast

-Joan is higher

-the Senate is quicker

-Ngozi was highest

-yeah, we will worry about that in four years

-or Bello

-or Bello

-I read the thing…

-I know, I know.

-so, he is keeping the line

-I never thought he would do less

-I am just making notes on the things to come

-I know

-so why do you sound angry?

-no reason. I just hate politics.

-ha

-well, at least I have to say I do

 

Dramatis Personae

Richard Edewor Williams-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Chukwuma Nwachukwu-Chief of Staff to the President

Anthony Nwabunor-Chief Political Correspondent, Daily Chronicle

 

Daily Chronicler

Anthony Nwabunor

When he wakes up in the middle of the afternoon, he is aware he has been out and about and prays to himself that he is alone. He is.

The shower does not help his head and he makes a new vow to stop drinking.

 

VITAL STATS: ECONOMY

Week Ending: 11/06/2011

GDP GROWTH RATE: 4.4%
GDP PER CAPITA: $2,454
UNEMPLOYMENT: 7.8%
INFLATION: 10.8%
AVERAGE LENDING RATE: 16.72%