The harmattan had just touched down on Dengi with its breeze blowing slowly and sweeping across the coastal community. Chief Gandu, the Paramount Ruler woke up and sat at his hut all alone and meditating over matters that have preoccupied him for over a fortnight now.
As the people of Dengi clan prepare for the upcoming farming season the various village heads already knew that it was time to rotate the headship once again. Chief Gandu has been the Paramount Ruler for seven years now. He has completed his tenure and one of the village heads is expected to succeed him. That thought of leaving that exhaulted office had preoccupied Chief Gandu for weeks now. He has tasted power and does not want to relinquish same.
So even with the chilly nature of that morning, Chief Gandu woke up and placing one hand at his chin he kept thinking aloud. His bossom friend Luis walked in at that moment. Chief Gandu was completely unaware of his presence. Luis observed him for about thirty seconds and was forced to call him out.
"Ichie Gandu"!
"Ichie Gandu"!!
"What is eating you up this very cold morning my good friend"
"You are supposed to be close to the fireplace, man".
Stunned by the sudden and unannounced presence of Luis, Chief Gandu turned sharply and towards the standing Luis. Facing him fully, he heaved a deep sigh, shook his head slowly and pointed at the available seat.
Luis walked towards his seat and sat down. He opened his lion skinned sling bag, brought out a golden coloured little round container, hit it slowly with just an finger and then opened it. He used the index finger and scooped part of the contents and emptied same in his nostrils. And with the other hand he extended the golden coloured round container towards Chief Gandu who willingly received it from him.
Luis sneezed repeatedly.
"Ah, this snuff is really great. That's why I like Duke. He is good at producing the best and finest snuff"
Chief Gandu also scooped enough and tucked them into his nostrils. Soon he began to sneeze himself.
"Ah, Luis, this is really good". "You've charged me right away".
"Oh yes, you see Ichie Gandu, for this chilly harmattan we already have the antidote".
Both friends laughed out heartily. Chief Gandu then reached out for his gong and beat it once and a young man walked into the hut.
"Aha, Mike please get me that hot drink close to the door, let I and my good friend enjoy the moment "
"Yes Ichie". The young man said and dashed out almost immediately. He returned soon with the gin and two small glass cups.
"Luis my friend. This is the best combination to the great snuff you brought ". Gandu poured some into his own glass cup and gulped down almost immediately.
He handed Luis the bottle and Luis poured some for himself; gulped everything down at once and smarked his mouth.
After a while, Luis then began slowly. "Ichie Gandu, what is really the matter. I didn't like the posture I saw you in when I walked in. You didn't even know I was here".
Chief Gandu sighed again. He looked around and then lowering his voice, he said:
"You are my good friend Luis and I won't hide anything from you. You see, my tenure ends in the coming week and I don't want to leave yet". He paused and looked steadily at Luis who was just nodding his head.
Chief Gandu continued, "it is my wish to continue for another term. I know it is against the custom but I won't back down from my ambition."
Luis watched himself closely and in a steady voice he began:
"Ichie Gandu, you are a good man. You've served this clan very well and honestly everybody would have loved you to continue, but you already know the custom my good friend. Please drop that ambition because...."
Chief Gandu chipped in almost immediately, "no, I won't back down my friend. Support me, even if it is against the custom, I want an extension. I need it Luis".
"The council of Chiefs won't support that idea Ichie Gandu. You know you are my friend and I won't deceive you".
"Then give me your support Luis. I am counting on you. Please talk to them".
"Ichie Gandu, the election is just two days away. It is the turn of the Amarako kindred to produce the next Paramount Ruler, your successor".
"I know Luis, but I am going to throw in my hat into the ring. It's going to be a keen contest. I want to be the longest serving Paramount Ruler of this clan".
"It will be difficult man", Luis cautioned.
Luis then switched the topic of discussion to the coming farming season. He told his friend Gandu that he has come for fresh yam seedlings which he promised to give him. Chief Gandu also hit his gong once again and Mike walked in. Gandu then told him to take Luis to the team barn so that he can collect the seedlings. Luis thanked Ichie Gandu and then left with Mike for the yam barn.
The day of the election for the Paramount Ruler came and true to his ambition Chief Gandu brought himself forward to contest. This stunned other village heads but they kept quite. The other two contestants from the Amarako kindred whose turn it is to produce the next Paramount Ruler also came out. And in a keenly contested election one of the contestants from Amarako kindred won in a landslide with Chief Gandu coming a distant last.
Chief Gandu could not believe his eyes as he had secretly campaigned among the village heads for an extension of his tenure, albeit against their custom. They took his money and yams and still voted against him. He had only Luis, his bossom friend to console him while the others flocked towards the newly elected Paramount Ruler in a jubilation mood.