END OF THE BEGINNING

“End it now! End the killings!” “Keep us alive. We are the future.” “No finish us. We no dey many.” “Save our future. Secure our lives!”

These and several others, were the inscriptions on the placards that youngsters held high and waved as they chanted harmoniously, marching across the streets of Kotoke District. Their march was against the political class, best called “jungle lords” or “lords of the jungle,” whose nonchalant attitude had provoked them, and who, although aware of their persistent cry for justice, remained silent. It started like smoke that eventually became an inferno, perhaps unforeseen, because the jungle lords did not attend to it, just like what happens when lions allow wolves to babysit their cubs and remain apathetic even when the babysitters start eating up the cubs. In this case, the cubs had overpowered even the wolves and would soon overpower the jungle lords themselves. But what became a revolt was never planned to be so. It was a genuine outcry against the babysitters’ maltreatment of the cubs which became so because the lords of the jungle had ignored it.

Amid the agitations, the District Council held several ‘closed door’ meetings to seek solutions—not to the cause of the youngsters’ agitations, but for their “madness.” During one of such meetings, the Councillor inquired of the Security Chief, “What is going on in this District?”

“It’s no fuss sir, these young ones are only being recalcitrant. They say they no longer want security guards around them,” the Security Chief responded. This was the partial truth, only that he didn’t say why.

“What nonsense! And you let this come this far? Go, shut them up!” the Councillor commanded, and the Chief affirmed “Yes sir” without deliberating the “how?” One can rightly presume he knows his job. Other members of the council, although not directly consulted, attempted to give counsel:

“You see, they are not causing any havoc. You must approach this with caution,” the District Public Relations’ Correspondent advised.

“Well, since it’s not affecting us directly, why should we care?” questioned the Internal Affairs Advisor. “If we ignore them after some time, they will get tired and keep quiet,” he suggested.

“Not so easily, they are already drawing the attention of neighboring cities. They believe we are not able to handle the affairs of Kotoke District. Our silence is affirming that, and they may soon overthrow us” the Security Chief cautioned.

“Well, not under my watch,” the Councillor said calmly and assuredly. “You go do your job,” he ordered.

“Your lordship, they are beginning to block our paths. Our people can no longer go about their businesses peacefully,” the District Security Advisor informed.

“If I may ask, is this happening all over Kotoke District?” the Councillor inquired. They informed him it would soon become so, even though it had started only in one city. “Now youngsters in many other cities have joined them and we fear that more will soon follow suit,” the DSA reported. “But there is an exception,” he continued, “Those in your home city are with your lordship. They believe the revolt is a plot by the political opposition to overthrow you, and the youngsters are being sponsored to distract you. Once they succeed in causing chaos in the district, the opposition will step in to accuse you of incompetence to govern, and then impeach you.”

The DSA was the Councillor’s most reliable advisor, and he was highly respected. A momentary silence ensued. Anxiety filled the room. Other members of the council knew this was not true, but to not offend the Councillor who believed whatever his advisor told him—besides, he seldom went out to see things for himself—they all decided to keep quiet. Moreover, they did so to avoid being labeled as conspirators with the opposition, and to ensure the crisis got silenced.

“So, is this their plan? Poor children. They know nothing. I will deal with them!” the Councillor threatened. “Now, you Security Chief, you and your men must do all you can to ensure they are off our streets as soon as possible,” he ordered. He dismissed the council and asked the Security Chief and his ‘Special’ Advisor to “meet me in the inner chamber,” for further deliberation.

Back in the streets, the youngsters now in greater numbers, kept pressing their demands. As much as they did their best to maintain peace and orderliness, it wasn’t long before other youngsters invaded them. At first, they appeared to be compatriots, but as they approached, they looked fierce, enraged, and were armed. “You fools! You think you can be used to impeach the Councillor? No way! You are joking, fools!” they cursed as they attacked. Disappointingly, supposed security guards at the scene, more like babysitting wolves, stayed back and spectated. Chaos ensued, and the guards under the guise of “restoring order,” fiercely attacked the unarmed youngsters, who only attempted to fight back in self-defense. The outcome? Bloodshed was unavoidable.

The marching youngsters retreated from the streets. Normalcy seemed to have been restored, but eventually, almost the entire District was on fire: homes of certain members of the District Council were being attacked, and the innocent too were not spared. It wasn’t clear who was behind the rancor. More “behind closed doors” meetings were held, and this time not only the District Council met. The organizers of the march reconvened, and this time, behind closed doors too. Although they had always maintained they had no leader, an outspoken young woman addressed them. She wore a black jeans pair of trousers and a black t-shirt with a branding on it that read “I Come in Peace.” She tied a red scarf on her head, and a black handkerchief tied on her right wrist. As she took the stage, her compatriots cheered and chanted randomly, “Yes, Mama!” “Freedom Fighter” and more.

“Great reformers,” she shouted, and the small crowd echoed “Great!” in response. “Resilient revolutionists, brave soldiers…” she continued, “I must commend your resilience and bravery in pursuing this noble cause. We stood up and are fighting for our freedom; against oppression, brutality, impunity, insecurity and bad governance, from those tyrants of a Council—despotic lords of the jungle. When they perceived our move would be unstoppable unless they acted fast, they set fellow youngsters against us. And even so, we are persistent. Then our tyrant ‘babysitters’ themselves turned against us; they shot and killed our friends, brothers, and sister. But here we are again, stronger than ever!” she said, raising her right hand with a fist. They echoed “Yes! Yes!” in solidarity.

“It’s sad how sour things have turned,” she went on, “Now our District is on fire. But thank goodness, it’s the lords of the jungle drinking from the fury of the same foes they hired to attack us. While we mourn our fallen heroes, we also celebrate them. We celebrate their patriotic spirit, their undying quest for justice, their fight for freedom! They may lie breathless, but they live as free people!” The crowd cheered on, with some in tears.

“We are prepared and there is no going back. We are taking over! It is forward ever and backward never! We move!” She ended her speech, and the assembly was dismissed.

Days passed, and contrary to their plans, the youngsters remained indoors as it became increasingly unsafe to gather in the streets, whether for a march or not. Perhaps, the next safer place would be at the polls to decide the next District Councillorship—hopefully, not another set of jungle lords.

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