Storming The Election

"It's time, Ma'am", Amara's assistant, Niyi, said as she walked up to Amara, who was sitting at the back of her SUV, shielding herself from the hot sun and the harsh harmattan wind of the Ikogi Town. Niyi had fliers and posters of Amara's campaign in her hands, sharing them with anyone who cared to take them.

"Has Charmain Adeyemi arrived?" Amara asked instead without removing her face from the laptop she was working on.

"I've not seen him in the venue yet, Ma'am", Niyi replied.

There was silence for quite some seconds as Amara continued working on her laptop ignoring Niyi.

"But ma'am, are you sure about this because Chairman Adeyemi is that man that won't go down without a fight? He's been in this power game way before us, and he plays dirty," Niyi added.

"Niyi of little faith," Amara said, shutting her laptop and placing it aside. "For how long are we going to let these people ruin our town? So, because I'm a lady or because I'm new in the political space, does that mean I should give up because of their threats? No Niyi, no!."

She got out of her car, the harsh harmattan wind hitting her face and nose. She adjusted her brightly coloured Ankara tailored clothes, then she said "Our people have lived in fear for too long. They're tired of the broken promises. Today, I'll storm that castle and give them hope and what they deserve" she roared with fierce eyes pointing at the old Town Hall, the venue of the local government electoral debate which was almost crumbling from the weight of neglect.

With that, she walked towards the town hall with Niyi following behind at the same time, distributing her fliers to anyone who cared for.

Murmurs could be heard from every corner as to how unqualified she was

"Imagine a woman thinking she can unseat our Chairman Adeyemi." She heard a group of boys who wore clothes with the faces of Chairman Adeyemi printed on them mutter.

"The present day Joseph the dreamer" another group of women laughed at her.

But she kept her head high and continued her walk into the hall. Her assistant jogged behind.

She got to the podium, and Chairman Adeyemi emerged from the shadows towards her. His presence brought cheers and shouts from the people in the room. He raised his hands to signal silence, and immediately, the people listened, and silence befell the room.

"So you're the tiny girl causing all this uproar, Amara Okike?" He asked with a voice filled with mockery and false amusement. "The audacity to think you'll win. My dear, you're just wasting your money on the campaign. The money you should have used to travel to Ibiza and enjoy yourself because it's clear you're still a novice on how to run a city" he let out a loud, croaky laugh, his pot belly vibrating with each sound he made.

Amara walked closer to him, her eyes staring deep into his and without any atom of fear, she replied,

"Chairman Adeyemi, you can play with our people's lives like a game as you've always done. But I'm not going to play that game with you. I'm here because my people deserve better"

"Brave girl. I see you've made your choice. But remember that bravery doesn't win elections. Especially when unwanted guests like you storm my castle" he threatened, this time keeping a mean face.

Amara smiled "This castle belongs to the people and only they can decide who rules it. Excuse me," she said, walking past Chairman Adeyemi to have her seat

Immediately, there were jeers and cheers from the crowd. This time from people from split support of Amara and Chairman Adeyemi. While Amara's supporters cheered praises. Adeyemi's supporters yelled insults.

A few minutes later, the moderator mounted the podium, signalling the beginning of the debate. It was a case of power tussle, insults and cheers, ideas and counter-ideas, plus mockery between the parties involved.

Gradually the energy in the room started shifting from scepticism to hope. The people realized what they had been lacking from Amara's speech. It was as if their eyes were washed of the spells cast on them. They yearned for redemption.

Luckily for Amara, the debate ended with her gaining more supporters because of her intelligent responses and manifestos, and Chairman Adeyemi's supporters became more violent with their words.

The next few weeks before the election, the people sang more praises for her. They realized how ignored they had been for years under the government of Chairman Adeyemi. They took the campaign to the markets, the village square and everywhere they could think of. Sharing fliers and mounting billboards.

On the election day, Amara sat at electoral board headquarters with her rival Chairman Adeyemi sitting opposite her. Their hearts pounded in their chest as they watched their votes being counted. Waiting to hear the final results.

At first Chairman Adeyemi was leading in many polling units. He grinned from ear to ear, making mocking gestures at Amara. He believed so much that no man could win him, not to talk of a lady like Amara.

"Let's not panic yet ma'am. There are still a whole lot of units that's not been counted yet" Niyi tried motivating her boss.

Amara nodded without saying a word.

Slowly, her lead began to grow more than Chairman Adeyemis's own. The hope that had been growing in the people germinated into full-blown excitement. Out of anger, Chairman Adeyemi walked out of the room with his supporters, who kept ranting about how the election was manipulated to favour Amara.

At the last count, Amara was declared the winner. She won by a landslide. She couldn't contain the joy on her face. Tears of joy streamed down her face. Her supporters trooped into the electoral board headquarters with chants of her name, lifting her on their shoulders.

Niyi her assistant looked her in the face with smiles and teary eyes
"You did it, Ma'am. You stormed the castle and took the throne" she said.

Amara, looking over the huge crowd that had gathered to celebrate her win from the shoulders of her supporters, replied.
"No, we did it. And together we'll rebuild our town".

Just as she said. Amara made sure she left no stone from her manifesto to her people untouched in her reign as the Chairman of Ikogi Town.

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