patriots- operation Amen.

The federal executor walked into the dimly lit room and squinted, focusing on the man sitting behind the massive steel and glass desk.

“Sir, the bill did not go through. We did all we could but the members loyal to us were unable to influence it.”

Silence.

“Sir, I think we could organize a committee and introduce a mark up to revise the bill.”

Silence.

The man’s expression was hard to read with the dimmed lighting of the office space but his shallow breathing was clearly discernable.

“When were you born?”

“Eh..Sir..I...” The federal executor stuttered.

“I asked a simple question. When were you born?”

“Nineteen seventy two sir.”

“So I am safe to say that you were not around when the union jack was lowered and the Nigerian flag hoisted to take its place?”

“Yes, you are sir.” He was recovering fast.

The man stood up from the desk and gazed out the gothic style arch of the office window. The sun setting in the horizon cast a pale yellow glow on his upturned face and revealed a series of worry lines etched on his forehead.

“I was a young man when it happened and I swore to do anything within my power to keep that flag flying high.” He finished still staring at the colorful spectacle in the distance.

“It is no news that we are no longer custodians of men of vision in this country. Once upon a time, great statesmen roamed our land. Men who were willing to shed their blood for this nation.”

He shook his head back and forth then continued. “The right to information bill was a lifeline to our Government to help effectively monitor militant groups and local terrorists nipping them in the bud before they become a nationwide threat…but not even the president wanted it passed.”

He shifted a bit and exhaled audibly before continuing. “Murtala Mohammed, Babangiga, Obasanjo, some say were men who employed extreme measures but they purged this nation of weak leadership; in my opinion a necessary extreme.”

“President Gurau is weak...an unacceptable option for true democracy. A wimp. He is undeserving of the mantle he wields.” He turned and stared at the federal executor who was entranced by the mild outburst. “I have watched from the sidelines how he vetoed the authorization bill for military funding last year and muddled the constitution amendment attempts. Now the right to information bill has not survived congress. When will it all end?”

The federal executor watched the figure spellbound. An involuntary shudder cut through him.

He really believes in all this.

When he had been summoned and provided with the details of the plan, the executor had viewed it as another power thirsty politician strategizing a smear campaign. Nothing he had not seen in the previous administrations that had employed his services. He was a realist and accepted the fact that everybody wanted power but what was this? A patriot?

“I hope you understand why we are doing all this, young man.”

“I do sir.”

The figure finally turned to face the federal executor and spoke with poorly concealed urgency. “Then help me…help me rid this nation of this threat.”

“I will activate the second phase of operation Amen, sir.”

“Thank you.”

The federal executor was dismissed with a wave of his hand. As he left, he heard a muffled sniff. Was the damned politician crying?