Chief Simon Ikpa, with his imposing potbelly, represented a figure of both influence and exasperation in the political landscape of the state.
As a former senator, he had wielded considerable power, and his aspirations for the governorship seemed like the natural progression in his political career.
However, the path to realizing this ambition proved to be fraught with obstacles. Despite pouring substantial resources into his campaign, success remained elusive.
The frustration etched on his face was not solely a result of unsuccessful gubernatorial bids but also an intricate web of political rivalries.
Since leaving the Senate, Chief Ikpa's attempt to become governor of the state had recounted one roadblock after another. His attempt to return to the Senate also faced unexpected resistance from the new governor, adding a personal dimension to the political chessboard. The strained relationship between them had become a stumbling block, creating a hostile environment for Ikpa's political resurgence.
The champagne he held in his hand as he paced about the room which was usually associated with celebration, now served as a bitter companion to Ikpa's discontent. Each sip mirrored the bitterness of defeat and the burning desire for vindication. The pacing, a physical manifestation of his restless determination, painted a vivid picture of a man unwilling to relent in the face of adversity.
As the political landscape continued to evolve, Chief Simon Ikpa found himself entangled in a complex narrative of power dynamics, personal animosities, and the unrelenting pursuit of his political dreams.
The new governor had also confiscated some landed property Chief Ikpa had been able to acquire under the administration of the previous governor.
The new governor was probing the past administration and was clamping down on former appointees of the former governor, taking over landed property alleged to have been obtained by them illegally.
"That fool wants to see what I can do abi?" he raced as he paced around the living room. "I will show him, I will him I've been playing this game before he even became anything in life. An equivalent of my driver, simply because he found himself in power and he thinks he can make life miserable for me. I will show him what miserable is all about. I'll make sure he doesn't have a single day of peace on that seat he is occupying."
His phone rang and the caller identify on the screen showed it was the former governor calling him.
"Your Excellency, I am very angry right now," Ikpa started speaking immediately he picked the call. "Can you imagine this fool sent policemen to throw my boys out of that my site at the old quarters."
"I heard about it," the former governor said. "He also arrested by son-in-law this afternoon for trying to enter my wife's hotel."
"What?"
"Yes," the former governor said. "He sent his boys to close down the place and when my son-in-law went with his people to find out what was going on, they were attacked and arrested."
"This man is looking for trouble," Ikpa shouted. "Trouble he cannot handle."
"I have called the IGP and my son-in-law and his people will be released shortly," the former governor said. "I am going to see the National Chairman today and if necessary Mr. President. Do you want to come along with me?"
"Yes," Ikpa replied. "Where are you now?"
"I'm at my estate," the former governor said. "I have a chartered flight waiting at the airport. We'll leave for Abuja when you get here."
"Give me an hour Your Excellency," Ikpa said. "I want to tidy up a few things here."
"Ok I'll wait for you."
"You have no choice you fool," Ikpa said after cutting the connection. "We won't be here today if you had abided by our agreement and not get power hungry."
Ikpa had worked on the former governor's reelection bid with the agreement that after he was done with his constitutionally permited second term in office, he would back Ikpa as his successor.
Unfortunately the former governor had other plans and tried to foist his son-in-law, who was from the same political zone as himself against the rotational agreement in the state, on the people.
The people stood against his plans and led to the emergence of a man who didn't like either of them as the new governor of the state.
Both men had to bury the hatchet and form a united front, when it became obvious the new governor had serious axes to grind with both of them.
An hour later, Chief Ikpa was sitting at the back seat of the former governor's Toyota Landcruiser SUV heading towards the airport.
"Personally," Ikpa said. "I don't know what the National Chairman of the party can do about this. I'll suggest we arrange a meeting with Mr. President and get him to call this mad man to order."
"The National Chairman has some hold over him," the former governor replied. "He helped him secure the party's ticket during the primaries and knows how important it is for him and the party not to lose us at this critical time."
"The man is just trying to push us not just out of the party," Chief Ikpa fumed. "But out of the state. He thinks he is the only one that knows how to play dirty. If things don't work out at Abuja, we may have to set some other plans into action to turn the people against him."
"What do you have in mind."
Chief Ikpa shot a glance at the driver and police orderly sitting in front. "We'll talk more about it when we are in the air or better when we are safely at your house in Abuja. What I have been thinking requires the uttermost secrecy."
"I understand."