It was the day to vote for the draft constitution. Tom sat in the living room as he perused through the draft constitution – which campaigns robbed him an opportunity to read, personally, as he waited for a cup of porridge.
“Please receive your call,” Tom's wife called from a kitchen that was some distance. “Hallo!” “ “Chief,” where are you?” a conversant voice come bubbling with anxiety from one of the youths who were part of the team that was recruited by the area member of parliament to steer a NO vote. “I'm with the “chief” of the YES propaganda,” Tom responded with commanding tone, asking, “where are you?” “We have been mobilizing youths from the three remaining wards,” he responded, panting, “hope the lubricant is ready.” “Do the necessary, Songo ako eria.” The call ended.
Tom gave back the cell phone to her wife with a stern warning: “Necessary calls only.”
By the time break first table was set a crowd of people – young and old, were gathering like a group of dogs magnetized by a death animal. If one ever doubted that determination and endurance reigns among the common folk, this morning was a proof. If one ever thought that the interpretation of the law was only contained within the bar and among learned friends, this morning was the judgment seat.
The jug of porridge with some pieces of bumpkins were shared with such precision and appreciation that the more than fourth mouths were able to eat, with a resounding gratitude, “thanks madam “chief,” you are a great woman.”
One person after another dived and patched into the various clauses of the draft Constitution. But some were more interesting to highlight here. The village elder had this interpreted in regard to abortion: “If you vote YES, our women will abort at will, they will have the power to decide who the father of their child will be...: NO to the draft constitution.” “Why create an Islamic state here?” asked a woman leader, “NO!” she echoed.
A youth who went by the name professor was highly respected among the villagers notwithstanding being a DDO (Daily Drinking Officer) and more often slept in village pubs as he didn't have a hut. DDO was a university graduate, who emerged to be the best boy from one of the rural primary school before being admitted to join one of the national schools, which his poor parents were unable pay his school fees.
Professor spent two years and two terms at home working as a samba boy in in various homes. Her mother pleaded with the principal of the local secondary school to work in the school's farm for the pay of his school fees.
It is from this school that professor emerged with an A – (minus), setting a record that is yet to be broken. He was the best candidate in his district that year. Notwithstanding aspiring to pursue medicine at the university, he was selected to pursue a bachelors degree in education, science option.
“Whenever vacancies are announced over the seven years,” professor narrated, “I've been submitting my academic testimonials but I've never been recruited. Thus we need to register our NO to this corrupt and inconsiderate system which has failed to create job opportunities to its sixty percent youths,” he paused, as he eloquently continued while shaking and sweating under the scorching rays of the sun in this cloudless day. He continued painting his side of the coin: “This are the people enthusiastically rooting for a new Constitution and new dispensation!” his charisma was oiled with a chain of tear forming down the cheek.
His speech was punctuated with a sip of chang'aa. “Our vote is our power, to say NO, NO and NO to what we've been subjected to over the years.” Amid sops and a grip of melting sobriety, he continued: “... I don't have a problem with the draft per se, it deserves a YES,” he paused as his tired eyes hovered over, “ this referendum calls for a NO and YES.”
By this time the crowd had swollen for a fee walk a long this feeder road leading to the nearest polling station. All this time village “chiefs” like Tom were attending a press conference addressed by the area MP in the nearest market centre – who confounded all by his change of mind “after a quality night with the draft and a keen consideration of the future of our people.” He urged his supporters to vote YES. Few hours later his perpetual political rival and former powerful cabinet minister in the previous government , too, called for a press conference to announce his change of mind “after rigorous consultation with his learned friends the whole night,” he urged all to brave for a NO vote.
The “chiefs” in both camps of the campaign arrived in time to meet their supporters before voting began. The people were in high spirit as they started singing engaging the other side with everything at their disposal. It was evident, a great majority of this supporters were not a ware of the change of tune of their masters. This confusion drowned as they were being urged to cue for a glass or a cup of tea. Struggle and patches ensured as each fought to get his/her share of royalty which ranged between 50 to 100 bob. Some people were hurt in this stamped, as they tried to change camps to receive an extra kill.
The expected voting began in a confusion: some claiming to be short changed. Majority of the people took unexpected path, disappeared to nowhere save cuing to vote. And those who had a voters card were not sure what to vote for:YES or NO.
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