The Green City and the Iron Hand
1 And it came to pass, as Soludo settled upon his throne in the land of Anambra, that his heart was moved to transform the cities, to make them green and clean, even as he had promised in the days of his canvassing.
2 For the markets of Onitsha and the bustling thoroughfares of Awka were filled with much refuse, and the pathways were choked with traders who plied their wares in disarray, spilling into the roads like water from an overflowing pitcher.
3 And Soludo did issue a decree, saying, “Let all waste be gathered, and let the traders return to their appointed stalls, that the land may breathe and the people may walk in peace.”
4 But behold, the hand of Soludo was heavy, and his methods were those of a strong ruler, for he did unleash upon the traders certain vigilantes and local enforcers, whose faces were stern and whose hands were quick to collect levies, even beyond that which was lawful.
5 And much lamentation arose from the market women and the men of commerce, for they did groan under the burden of these new impositions, and many did whisper of extortion and the unjust taking of their meager gains. Yet, Soludo’s eye was fixed upon the vision of order, and the cries of the aggrieved did not sway his purpose.
6 Furthermore, it was heard throughout the land that Soludo, in his wisdom, did declare that the favor of the governor would shine brightest upon those local governments whose people did cast their votes for his own party in the elections of their chairmen.
7 And he did say, “For unto those who cleave unto the All Progressives Grand Alliance, shall development flow like a river, but to those who choose other paths, even the paths of the opposition, shall the wells of progress be sealed, and their roads remain untarred.”
8 And this saying caused much disquiet among the populace, for they wondered if the betterment of their communities was now bound to the allegiance of their ballot.
9 Moreover, in the matter of the construction of roads, though Soludo did promise swift and enduring works, it was observed by many that the contracts were often bestowed upon local builders, whose experience was scant and whose work was sometimes found to be substandard.
10 For the asphalt did sometimes crack too soon, and the drains did fill with water after but a few rains, leading the people to question the quality of the new infrastructure, even as Soludo did boast of the kilometers laid.
11 And thus, Soludo, the Governor of Anambra, did rule with a watchful eye upon his inheritance, and with a pen ever ready to engage in battles of words, and with a strong hand upon the affairs of the state, though his methods brought both order and new burdens upon the people.