The tiny house's broken windows let in the early morning sun, which created long shadows on the dusty floor. Aside from the steady chirping of distant birds, the village of Iroko was silent. The story of Abolaji started right here, in the centre of western Nigeria. Being the youngest of four siblings, he was born into a low-income family where merely surviving meant more than hoping for a better future. Living in Iroko was difficult, and obtaining basic necessities was a daily struggle. Even as a young child, though, Abolaji possessed an unwavering desire to overcome his situation that others did not.
Abolaji's Childhood
Abolaji's father was a farmer and a strict, traditional man. Despite her love, his mother was very pragmatic and focused on getting by. Both parents thought that the only ways to succeed were hard work and discipline, but they had a limited idea of success; they were content with what they had and did not envision the kind of power that Abolaji secretly desired. Abolaji understood at a young age that hard work alone would not suffice if he were to accomplish anything outside of his village. To escape poverty and establish himself, he would require guile, deceit, and an unwavering determination.
As his siblings came to terms with the fact that their world was small, Abolaji started to pay attention to the village elders, picking up knowledge from their words, actions, and methods of exerting influence. He saw how the village chiefs controlled the populace by promising them wealth in return for obedience and allegiance. These leaders appeared to be strong, well-respected, and feared. They led a life of wealth, power, and influence that Abolaji could only imagine. He started to see that the real currency of the world was not wealth but power.
Abolaji vowed to rise above the village at all costs, despite the protests of his family. He started to build relationships with local leaders by doing them favours, giving them shrewd counsel, and assisting them with their small-scale plans. Those in positions of authority turned to him because he was a young man whose ambition could be used to their advantage. He was a great help to people who wanted things done without getting their hands dirty because of his quick wit, persuasive speech, and ability to read people.
Abolaji's path was shaped by more than just ambition, though; a darker force would drive him even further down the path of ruthlessness.
The Betrayal
One fateful day, when Abolaji was just fifteen, he experienced a betrayal that would mark the turning point in his life. His best friend, Tunde, was a boy from a similarly modest background, but one who had always been more cautious than Abolaji. Tunde had been by his side through thick and thin, sharing in his dreams of escaping the confines of the village. The two boys made a pact: they would work together to rise above their circumstances, leaving Iroko behind and securing their futures through whatever means necessary.
But when Abolaji had finally found an opportunity to rise—a chance to become the assistant to a powerful local chief, who promised him a position of influence—Tunde, in a moment of fear, betrayed him. Tunde had gone behind his back, telling the chief that Abolaji was planning to usurp him, hoping to secure his own position by ingratiating himself with the chief. The chief, taking Tunde's word as truth, cast Abolaji aside, destroying his chance at power.
The betrayal shattered something deep inside Abolaji. For the first time, he understood how fragile trust could be, how easily someone could be discarded when they were no longer useful. Tunde's action left Abolaji feeling betrayed not only by his friend but by the very foundation of his ambition. The incident forced Abolaji to confront a hard truth: the world wasn't just about getting ahead—it was also about eliminating the threats that could tear everything down. From that moment forward, he resolved that power would be his greatest protection. If he controlled enough, no one could betray him again.
A Strained Family Life
As Abolaji's ambition grew, so too did the rift between him and his father. The older man, a staunch believer in tradition, disapproved of his son's increasing desire for influence. He saw Abolaji's rising ambitions as a threat to the values of humility and hard work that he had instilled in him. In Abolaji's eyes, however, his father was stuck in a bygone era, unwilling to adapt to the shifting world around them. The two clashed repeatedly, with Abolaji's father accusing him of being arrogant and disrespectful, while Abolaji saw his father as an obstacle standing in the way of his dreams.
"I never raised you to become like this," his father would scold, his voice a mixture of disappointment and anger.
"I don't want to be like this," Abolaji would reply coldly. "But I need to be. You'll understand when you see what I can achieve."
The lack of understanding between them created a deep emotional wound in Abolaji. He felt increasingly isolated, caught between his father's expectations and his own relentless pursuit of power. The estrangement from his family only fueled his desire to prove them wrong and show the world that he was capable of far more than what they had envisioned for him. But in the process, he lost the one thing that might have grounded him: his connection to his roots, to the very people he had once believed in.
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Present-Day Impact on Omolola
Fast-forward to the present. Omolola's rise in the political movement has been swift and impressive, a testament to her intelligence, charisma, and drive. But as she looks at Abolaji—the man who helped her achieve much of her success—she begins to notice the same ruthless ambition that had driven him in his youth. She can't help but draw parallels between the path he took and the one she's walking now. The power plays, the subtle manipulation, and the ever-present drive for control remind her of the very things she had once promised herself she would avoid.
She begins to realize that, like Abolaji, she might be sacrificing her morals for the sake of success. The compromises she has made to rise within the movement—cutting deals, hiding her true intentions—are starting to eat away at her. She is growing more and more uncomfortable with the realization that the very man who helped her ascend might have been grooming her all along, just as he had groomed others before her. His charm, his persuasive words, and his guidance seem less like acts of mentorship and more like calculated moves to secure his own future.
Omolola is forced to ask herself: How much of her success is a result of Abolaji's influence, and how much of it is truly her own? Is she becoming like him?
Hints of Abolaji's Dark Dealings
One evening, as Omolola walks past Abolaji's office, she overhears a conversation between two of his associates, men she has met only briefly. The exchange is hushed, but the words are unmistakable.
"They say Abolaji is in bed with the oil magnates," one man murmurs. "He's been cutting deals to fund the next election. But there's more—rumors about offshore accounts, money flowing in from sources no one can trace."
Her heart races as the words sink in. She had suspected that Abolaji's rise was not entirely above board, but now she knows that his dealings are not just financially questionable—they are dangerously corrupt. The political machine he's building is not only about consolidating power but about silencing any opposition through dirty money and under-the-table deals. And Omolola, as one of his trusted allies, is now caught in the web of his manipulation.
As she pieces together the information, a chilling thought crosses her mind: if the truth about Abolaji's dealings ever came to light, it could destroy everything she's worked for. Her activism, her credibility, and her relationship with the movement could be irreparably damaged. Yet, staying silent in the face of corruption feels like a betrayal to the very values she has fought for.
The uneasy alliance between Omolola and Abolaji is becoming more strained. She begins to see the full extent of his ambition—and the darkness that drives it. But even as the truth starts to emerge, she knows she has little room to maneuver. The stakes are higher than ever, and every decision she makes could change the course of her future.