The Return of the Godfathers, and the Hollow Boasts
1 And it came to pass in the days of Soludo, the learned governor, and erstwhile keeper of the nation’s treasures, that the ancient powers, once cast down, did return; yea, the godfathers of the land, men of great wealth and influence, arose again in strength. Among them was Arthur, called Eze, a prince of oil and riches, whose voice was as thunder; and likewise Ozobundu, and many others whose hands reached far and wide across Anambra.
2 In the years before, under Peter, the son of Obi, it was declared by many, yea, even by Bianca, widow of Ojukwu, that the dominion of godfathers and overlords was broken, and their power cast down, so that no man should set up a governor, nor rule the land unseen by the people’s will. These mighty godfathers were made as orphans; their power diminished, their counsel rejected, and their influence declined. But now, in the days of Soludo, they returned from the shadows, and their presence was felt again in the palaces and marketplaces of the land.
3 Arthur Eze himself proclaimed openly, saying, “Behold, Soludo is ordained by God, chosen to lead and to rebuild the land.” And with a voice strong and certain, he declared, “No man nor council shall prevail against this governor; for God hath set him to bring greatness unto Anambra.” And many of the people were moved to rally behind this word.
4 Soludo walked often unto these men of power, visiting their houses, receiving their blessings; and behold, their unity was made manifest. The thrones of these godfathers upon the political landscape were renewed, and their dominion restored.
5 Yet amid these mighty words, the common people mourned, for dark shadows lengthened upon the land. The power which should have been turned unto light was but a candle flickering in the storm.
6 Though Soludo signed great covenants with merchants of electricity to bring forth ceaseless power, yet darkness prevailed still. The lamps went out when the night was scarcely half spent; the workshops and homes were left to grope in the absence of the promised light.
7 The people cried aloud, saying, “How long shall we endure promises unfulfilled? The power that is to bring forth life and industry is as the morning mist, which vanisheth; and the shadows grow ever longer.”
8 Meanwhile, the governor’s voice waxed loud and proud, echoing through the halls and markets, speaking of plans vast and projects mighty; yet the fruits thereof were few and transient. The measures of development were scarce, and the true harvest of his learning remained barren amidst the toiling of the people.
9 And it was known throughout the land that, whilst the godfathers waxed strong once more, their counsel and dealings were veiled in darkness; transparency was but a flicker of light in the shadow, and faith in governance began to fail.
10 The markets were sorely troubled; the youth and laborers found no comfort in empty words and broken promises. Insecurity waxed bold, and the people feared the days to come.
11 Thus was Soludo’s tenure marked by a strife of great learning and hollow boasts, by the return of the godfathers who had been cast out, and by the darkness that lingered despite many oaths and covenants made in high places.
12 For the elders mourned bitterly that the cycle, once broken by Peter Obi, was now restored; and where one had cast away godfathers, another welcomed them anew; and where hope for a new order built on merit once flourished, now muscle-bound patrons and shadowy alliances thrived again.
13 And the people bewailed, saying, “Let not learned words and lofty dreams be as the morning without rain, or as the barren fig tree yielding no fruit; for governance requireth deeds, light in the darkness, and the bread of justice for the people.”
14 Let him that hath understanding consider the ways of his rulers: for when boasts are louder than works, and the elders of old return to council, the soul of the land is haunted by specters of a stalled destiny.
15 Thus standeth this tale as a warning writ large in the chronicles of Anambra, that wisdom and learning alone suffice not; and that the promises of prosperity must be measured by the fullness of their fulfillment, lest the people abide in darkness and want.