"What do you have to say about the death of your fellow contestant, Mr Bamidele Johnson?"

"It is quite shocking. Bamidele was a close friend of mine, outside the buisness of politics, of course." He gives a small somber smile. "It is a great loss to this nation. He was a vibrant young man with tons of potential and my heart goes out to his family. May his soul rest in peace."

"Amen," says the pretty anchor. "There have been rumours that you have connections with the underworld. Do you think they are going to affect your chances going into the polls?"

Chief Koko shakes his head. He had been expecting the question. "I am a business man; an honest one at that. I've had dealings with quite a number of people, but I've never broken the law. I can assure you that those are absolutely baseless accusations. I have nothing to do with the underworld, as they call it. I am a law abiding citizen of this country and anyone with evidence contrary to my statement is free to come forward."

"In thirty seconds, tell us what the people of Lagos state should expect from you if you become governor."

Chief Koko stares at the cameras and gives his brightest smiles. "I will not beat around the bush. Everybody knows who I am. I've been in the public sector for years now and everyone has seen what I am capable of. I can assure you that more will come once I am elected into office. Lagos state is in need of new hands with better plans that actually work. A vote for the Social Democratic Party is a vote for change and a vote for a better tomorrow for our state."

"Thank you very much, Chief Kokola Steven." She turns to the cameras "and that is a wrap. We will be seeing you guys same time next week. Don't forget; your power is your vote."

The lights are suddenly switched off as one of the crew members shout "cut". The anchor slides off her chair and stretches her hand. "That was a nice interview," she says.

Chief Koko takes her soft hand in his. What was her name? Maggie, Dani or Wendie, he doesn't remember. "It was my pleasure. I will be happy to do it again anytime."

"Excuse me, Chief," says Tunde, his personal assistant.

Chief Koko drops the anchor's hand. "Yes?"

"You have a call."

Chief Koko waves him off. "Tell them I'm busy."

"Er... Chief... its on your private line," says Tunde. He hands him a slick black Nokia.

Chief Koko swallows. He snatches the phone from Tunde's hands. "I have to take this, Wendie," he says to the anchor.

She frowns. "My name is Seni."

"Oh, Seni. Nice to meet you." He marches straight out of the studio to his Mercedes. Razor is seated in the driver's seat. There is a matchstick dangling from his lip. He straightens when he sees Chief Koko.

Chief Koko removes his agbada before entering the car. "Drive," he says.

The car rumbles to life and they are speeding out of the parking lot.

Chief Koko takes a deep breath. He answers the call. "Hello," he says.

"Its been a long time, Chief," says the line at the other end. It has a flat pitch. It could have belonged to anyone.

"Ah, yes. I was... afraid you wouldn't call back after that time."

"You are a very important person, Chief. Our plans might not work out well without you."

"Oh... I..."

"You do remember our agreement, don't you?"

Chief Koko wipes his brow and glances at the A.C dial; its at the maximum. He drops his voice a notch lower. "You said you would make me governor in exchange for certain things which you still haven't mentioned."

"Very good. Its best if we keep things that way. Knowing too much is a danger itself."

"You can at least tell me how-"

"Have you watched the news recently?" There is a sharp edge to the voice.

Chief Koko holds his breath. "Yes."

"Then I trust you have heard about your fiercest opponent, Mr Bamidele Johnson."

"Oh God. You people did that?" He tugs at the button of his buba. "When I said he was going to be a problem, I didn't mean he had to die."

"There is a proverb that your people are fond of saying. 'An enemy that is left around is like a half-dead viper that you nurse back to health.' Isn't it?"

"Yes," he whispers.

"Now that he is out of the equation, there isn't enough opposition to stop you from becoming governor. The path is practically clear."

Chief Koko lets out a breath he doesn't know he has been holding. "What exactly do you people plan to get from all these?"

"You will know soon enough. By the way, the vessel we talked about has arrived. I'm hoping you still remember our agreement."

"I... I do."

"Good. Let's hope this will be the beginning of a fruitful partnership. If not, Chief Koko, remember that the axe can fall the other way."

There is a beep and the line goes dead. Chief Koko stares at the phone in his hands. He throws it across the car to the other seat.

"Is anything the matter, Chief?" asks Razor.

"No," he snaps. "Just drive."

He buries his hands in his head and wonders who is at the end of the other line. He raises his head up and looks out the window -- at the speeding cars and the sweating hawkers and the thousands of commuters. He sees a bus full of labour union workers and a PHCN van. He sees his face in one of his posters and he smiles.

"At all cost," he says. He doesn't realize he had said it aloud.

"Chief?" asks Razor.

"Take me to Nkechi," says Chief Koko. He is grinning widly. There is a tingling around his groin. He can imagine her smooth hands caressing his body.

He tips his head back and laughs out loud.

At all cost.

agbada : a flowing wide-sleeved robe worn by men.

buba: a shirt with a round neckline and sleeves that goes underneath the agbada.