Garin Mazugal

Chapter 8(cont).

Alhaji Sabiu is a man of average height . A huge line ran through the circumference of his face. His insatiable desire for women was easily quenched by the monstrous bags of wealth he presides over.His reservoir of illegal monies made from smuggling and other illicit activities gave him the freedom of doing anything he wanted to . He spent a very long time in Saudi Arabia before the government came to know of his illegal dealings. His craze for money was legendary. His smartness for thievery was more intriguing when juxtaposed with his frenetic cluelessness in his other endeavors. It was like he was born to be a thief; more or less his calling.

   His arrival from Saudi Arabia wasn't greeted with as much fanfare as he had expected. After exhausting the warnings given to him,the government had no option than to deport him back to Mazugal. This fact he hid from the people. The rented crowd he had paid for simply collected his money and left him to himself. This made him very furious. The need to get a degree of authority that allows him command a degree of respect kept throbbing his heart ; his money a strengthener,giving him the confidence of getting anything he wants,like a shot of adrenaline. He quickly sourced out Alhaji Iro who in turn introduced him to the party members.

  "I know some of you don't know me. My name is Sabiu Mai Kudi.I don't want to brag but I'm a man of great wealth."

Everyone sat,listening with rapt attention. This intrusion is something they hadn't bargained for but it's worth the try.

  "Before outlining my plans for the party,I'll make everyone here #599k Mazugal dollars richer. And this is just he beginning. I intend embarking on a massive financing of party activities. Call me your would-be ATM and you won't be far from the truth. Starting from the forthcoming elections, I'll be the chief financier in charge..."

  Ululations greeted this announcement. Even the stony hearted Alhaji Iro couldn't help but be impressed with the audacity on display. His diabolic mind saw something fertile in Alhajii Sabiu. Something to be planted on,used to grow and discarded after. Whatever happens, he concluded, Alhaji Sabiu needs to be made my friend. I need him on my side.

Alhaji Mai Naira deluded himself on being the richest man in Mazugal. What he was seeing here was undescribable.

"Since he won't contest,ai that is all. And all the money I've planned to use for campaign will be channeled to other profitable ventures...... but I need to be careful. A man doesn't throw golden stones at mud houses for nothing. Its either the mud changes to gold after or the house beautifies the gold even further.."

Alhaji Sabiu smiled to himself. "Wawaye (Fools).You think I'll just throw money about without expecting anything? Bari in gama da ku.Za Ku sani (The truth will hit you when I'm done).

Alhaji Iro sat adjacent to Mai Naira. Their chairs were at opposite ends. In between them were members of the executive who were still enchanted by the lure of Alhaji Sabiu's wealth. The 3 men looked at each other,each other displaying a very wicked wry smile. They were masters of mind games and knew what each other was thinking..Each had his own plan and however different a method of execution it might have,it still catered for their interests before any other.

   " This will be an interesting journey " Sabiu said to himself.

"Welcome money bag. Let's see how many bags you'll be having left when I'm done with you " Alhaji Iron said to himself.

"When I'm governor of Mazugal,both of you will die after I'm sworn in." Iro said faintly.

   So began the vicious cycle of selfishness,hypocrisy and desperation.

Mal.Musa Tsafe couldn't contain himself. He was absolutely restless,displaying happiness frenetically absurd for description. His happiness has known no bounds ever since Alhaji Sabiu started romanticizing with money in town. News of his daily display of wealth was very common in Mazugal. Sometimes mixed with a lot of lies,Tsafe couldn't care either. He has been fantasizing on the drastic changes that'll come to his life after Binta,his daughter marries Alhaji Sabiu. The marriage, although altogether his idea,was his ticket into affluence and influence. It was something he wasn't ready to loose for anything.
He wore the best of clothes he had. That day was for seeing Alhaji Sabiu,his friend,something he never ceased to remind anyone who cared to listen. He knew Alhaji Sabiu wasn't as close to him as he made it seem. They met as coworkers in the house of a rich man outside of Mazugal where they worked as labourers. But Mal Musa Tsafe didn't care. He was ready to try his luck.