The Throne

                         The Throne

 

                 (a contemporary play )

                                By 

                    Lene Ododomu

 

               CHARACTERS

Pa Aku (Tinubu) -The protagonist

Chief Alaka (Fasola)-Chief

Chief Otunba (Sanwo-olu)-Chief

Remi (Tinubu's wife)- Pa Aku's wife

Debo (Tinubu's son)- Pa Aku's son

Chief priest

King Ata (Buhari)- The late king

Head of the chiefs (Osibanjo)

Chief Motu

Chief Kuru

Chief Akinde

Tinu (Tinubu's daughter)- Pa Aku's daughter

Dare- Competitor

Afo- Competitor

Kufi- Village palmwine tapper 1

Tayo-Village palmwine tapper 2

Ogoere (Osibanjo's wife)- Head of the Chiefs' wife

Women 1

Women 2

     

                  

   

                           ACT ONE 

                            Scene I

(The throne of Umuaro has become empty since after the departure of the late king. Each day the chiefs will be coming to the palace for settling some issues that were supposed to settle by the king. The crown of the king is always placed on the throne to mark his absence and expected to be removed immediately after new one is installed. The former king had four sons but the tradition restricted them not to inherit the throne because it is not a family legacy, so one who is well deserved will be appointed by the head of the chiefs to succeed him. However, Aku presented himself to take the position because he was the one who made the late king, the head of the chiefs and some other prominent chiefs. Aku will come to the palace everyday even though there is no official need. He came this morning and started steering at the throne and be smiling. He has been saying in his mind that it is his turn to become the king. He is dark in complexion, had two tribal mark and short in hight. He wore a white jalabia cloth with red hat and four beads in his ankle. He has been steering and smiling while sitting alone in the palace)

Pa Aku: Now the throne is empty and waiting for the owner to sit on it. I made the person that occupied this seat and now he has joined the ancestors. I made the head of the chiefs who crowns the king and I made other prominent chiefs like Alaska, Agelu, Otunba and many more......I have money. Infact, I have everything in this life that gives me the full warrant to become the next king. So it is my turn and nobody among these people that I made is expected to say no but capital YES. But one who intend to drag with me is a betrayal because I made all, so it is my turn (he laughs).

(Enter chief Alaska and Otunba visitating the palace as they unexpectedly meet with Aku)

Chief Alaka: (He hails Aku) Eru. The The great iroko tree that cannot be cut down. The owner of words, we greet you.

Pa Aku: The great Aku heard your greetings. It seems you are inside my mind.

Chief Otunba: Expectedly sir.

Pa Aku: That's nice. I actually wanted to come to your houses officially but thanks the gods that you two came here.

Chief Alaka: It is a lucky we are here then

Chief Otunba: Very lucky

Pa Aku: I don't want to be beating around the bush but call a spade a spade that I want your assistances by making me the next king of this kingdom.

Chief Alaka: That is a very big task though

Pa Aku: Yes but contrarily it is a small one.

Chief Alaka: Well, how should we go about it sir?

Pa. Aku: It is simple. Let's try to convince other chiefs.

Chief Otunba: That's true but there a problem sir.

Pa Aku: What problem?

Chief Otunba: That the head of the chiefs is also interested in it.

Chief Alaka: Yes, that's very true sir.

Chief Otunba: So what should we do sir?

Chief Alaka: Yes, what should we do?

Pa Aku: Head of the chiefs interested to become the next king?

Çhief Alaka: Yes sir.

(Staring at each other)

Pa Aku: (Clears his throat) Well, that's a minor issue, I will handle it myself. But you all remember that I made him, right?

Chief Alaka: Yes. We know sir, even a child in the womb knows.

Pa Aku: Very well then. Me that made him can also unmake him that's if he crossed his boundary.

Chief Alaka: Sure

Chief Otunba: Very sure

Pa Aku: Well, I will leave you people here because I have something  very important to do at home. Meanwhile, I will want you to come to my house tomorrow morning so that we can plan more.

Chief Alaka: No problem sir, we will come as you needed.

Pa Aku: (He stands up) Then I take my leave.

Chief Otunba: OK sir, till tomorrow. Farewell for now.

(They accompany him to the entrance of the palace)

Chief Alaka: OK by sir

Pa Aku: All right

 (then they  return back to the palace)

Çhief Aku: Chief, how did you see this plan of pa Aku of becoming the  next king?

Chief Otunba: Well, me I have nothing to say but what I know is that he is entitled to become the next king of this kingdom after all he made us all.

Chief Alaka: That's very correct but do you think that the head of the chiefs will accept to step down?

Chief Otunba: Then his is an ungrateful human being, a betrayal if he intend not to step down for pa Aku. My question is, who made him?

Chief Alaka: Ohio.... that's same question I will like to ask too.

Chief Otunba: Very well then. The throne belongs to Pa Aku because it is his turn.

Chief Alaka: Let's accept it that way after all he has everything that warrant him to be become the king. 

Chief Otunba: Let's take our leave and prepare ahead for the visitation to pa Aku tomorrow.

Chief Alaka: OK then, let's go.

(They both take their leaves

Exit the palace)

        

                                ACT ONE

                                 Scene II

(Pa Aku prepares himself while waiting for his visitors. He directed his wife, Remi to prepare special meal for them which she is already working on. But their coming is expected to be very earlier in the morning as planned but has not seen them yet though still hoping that they will come. He sits outside his house and directs his first son, Debo to arrange two chairs for his visitors. Debo also brings out a bench for him and his mother to sit with his father till the visitors arrive)

Pa Aku: (He drops the shween stick on the table and then send Debo to check the date on the calendar) What is Debo doing just to check date on the calendar? 

Remi: (Trying to hurry Debo) Debo ooo (he answered and she continues), what are you still doing inside? Your father is waiting, please hurry up)

(Then Debo comes out)

Pa Aku: What took you so long just to check ordinary calendar?

Debo: I am sorry father, I just wanted to be sure of the date you asked me to check.

Pa Aku: So what is today's date?

Debo: It is 29, father.

Pa Aku: 29?

Debo: Yes, father.

Pa Aku: Which means it is time for my monthly tax from the people I made.

Debo: Which people father?

Pa Aku: Are you that small or are you a child? Don't you know that I am a kingmaker? The prominent chiefs, including the late king of this kingdom, I was the one that made them all. So it is my entitlement that they are assigned to pay tax to me every month, don't you know that?

(Debo nods his head and intentionally dodge the father's question then the mother intervene)

Remi: Leave Debo alone, I think he was still a child when you were called the Iroko tree of Umuaro. Meanwhile, Chief Motu, Chief Kuri, chief Alaka, chief Otunba and Chief Akinde have brought their. They came when you went to the palace yesterday and they dropped their greetings.

Pa Aku: That's good. What about the head of the chiefs, I mean Chief Tunde?

Remi: I didn't see him maybe he will come tomorrow or next.

Pa Aku: If he like he should not come but a day is coming that I will unmake him that's if he disrespect me because I made him too.

Remi: But among all the people you made, Çhief Tunde was your most loved one and he is expected to worship you like God.

Pa Aku: Supposed but he is the most disloyal one and a betrayal among all of them. I told you about my interest on the throne, right?

Remi: Yes just few days ago.

Pa Aku: Very well then. The head of the chiefs is also interested on the throne.

Remi: That cannot be true, daddy Debo.

Pa Aku: But you know very well that I am too old to tell you lies.

Remi: Forgive my manners

Pa Aku: It's fine, your sins are forgiven, woman.

(They both burst into laughter)

Remi: This is a pure treason then

Pa Aku: A very pure one indeed. Before I made them all, I told them my interest on the throne after king Ata and they both agreed to support me. OK now, the man whom I made to be my concrete assistance is the one that is planning to drag position with me.

Debo: But father, you are too old to be the next king and also think of your health challenges. Meanwhile, the happiness of leadership is in the ability to recreate yourself in another. There is a point in life when you are a guard over territories, there's also a time when you should be a guide in the territories you once guarded. In essence, you may be very good, but give room for others who wish to be there too then you can guide, it doesn't make you a lesser person, father.

Pa Aku: Look at this one....When a lion is talking an ordinary fowl is not expected to contribute. Meanwhile, I was even younger than you when I started being a backbone to my father.

Remi: Just leave Debo alone. But Debo, you don't want to be a prince in this kingdom?

Debo: Of course I want to......

Pa Aku: Then why are you behaving like a scaredy cat?

Debo: Scaredy cat?

Remi: (Intervening) Yes, scaredy cat.

Pa Aku: Chase away this woman behavior, son. Just remove the cloth and put on the cloth of your father. Your mother is a woman in physical look but a man in spiritual look. Can't you see that she is a çhief and head of the women organization in this kingdom? OK look at your sister, Tinu, she is a woman but she is the one in charge of collecting  money from the market people who are using my land for market? I put her in charge because she has the heart of stone.

Remi: Oh, your visitors are here already. Let me get you the meal you asked me to prepare.

Pa Aku: Be fast then

Remi: I will be back right away (then she left to get the food)

(Enter Chief Alaka and Chief Otunba)

Chief Alaka: We are very sorry sir for coming late.

Pa Aku: Aha no problem. So far you are here now

(Debo stands up and excuses them)

Chief Otunba: I should be the one to personally apologize because it is my fault that we came late sir.

Pa Aku: There is no need for that but hope all is well with you?

Chief Otunba: All was not well, sir. My third son was involved in a serious accident. He fell down from a high palm tree while trying to cut down the palm 

-fruits for his  mother but we thank the gods that nothing happened to him except some scratch and dislocation of his left leg.

Pa Aku: Thanks be the gods

(Remi brings the food, serve it, presents it in a traditional way and left)

Pa Aku: Before we proceed, I have this meal for you.

Chief Alaka: Ahaaaa, this is wonderful. We are grateful sir. Thank you.

Pa Aku: (He watches his hands and passes the water for them to watch their)  We give thanks to the gods for this meal.

Chief Otunba: Iseee

Chief Alaka: Iseee

Pa Aku: We may start.....

Chief Alaka: Ahaa, I must confess that this meal is delicious.

Chief Otunba: Very delicious

(They both burst into laughter while eating the food)

Pa Aku: (He watches his hands after eating a little from the food) Elders don't eat much.....

Chied Alaka: True

Pa Aku: You can get more Incase you are not satisfy

Chied Otunba: This is enough sir. Thank you

Pa Aku: Welcome

(The two men finished the food and also licks the plate)

Chief Alaka: Thank you sir

Pa Aku: Are you sure you are okay with this......

Chief Otunba: Very much OK sir.

(Then Remi came out to remove the plates)

Pa Aku: OK. Let's discuss while I needed you here. Yesterday I told you that I  am interested to become the next king, right?

Chief Alaka: Yes, you told us sir.

Chief Otunba: You told us sir and before that it was even planned before the late king was installed.

Pa Aku: Very well then. So I will need your full support to achieve this feat.

Chief Alaka: That's not even a problem

Pa Aku: Very good. But what is your plan to achieve it?

Chief Otunba: I suggest we should convince other chiefs.

Chief Alaka: I concord with that suggestion.

Pa Aku: Yes, it's very good one. What I will add is, let's give them money as you are visiting them. Then for the two of you, you will not be paying your tax and I will give each of you two plot of land for a start.

Chief Alaka: Oh, thank you very much sir. Indeed we are grateful!

Chief Otunba: Thank you sir.

Pa Aku: (Calling his wife to bring them the money to settle the chiefs) Bring it fast.

(Re-enter Remi)

Remi: (Kneeling before him and gives him the money) I beg to take my leave.

Pa Aku: Permission is granted.

(Exit  Remi)

Pa Aku: Here is the money, I believe you know how to do the settlement.

Chief Alaka: Sure sir, we beg to take our leaves.

Pa Aku: That's fine, I am hoping on you then.

Chief Otunba: That's not a problem sir.

Pa Aku: Very well then

(Pa Aku accompanies the two men to the gate of his compound and then they left and he returns to his chair)

                

                              ACT TWO

                                Scene I

 ( The people of Umuaro can no longer wait to see a new king on the throne. Today, they have all gathered in the market square as they are summoned by the chief priest to announce the day of selecting a new king. The chiefs stand in the middle of the congregation and while the chief priest stands at the back of the chiefs. The drummers started drumming and followed by the singers, then they stopped when the chief priest steps forward to stand in front of the chiefs)

Chief priest: People of Umuaro kingdom, I greet you all ( they answered and he continues talking). I welcome you to today's wonderful occasion. I call it a wonderful occasion because it is a day that we will end our curiosity over having a new king on the throne. Therefore, with the power bestowed on me as the eye of the gods I hereby announce that a new king will be crowned in the next 14 days. Traditionally, four prominent men in this kingdom would present themselves for the people to choose one among them. Thank you!

(Then the drummers resume drumming followed by the singers but stopped when the head of the chiefs raises his hand)

Head of the chiefs: The people of Umuaro, I greet you all (they answered and he continues) Indeed, today is a very big day for us to be told that a new king will soon be seen on the throne.  Is there......is there any other happiness that is greater than this news? The answer is capital NO. As the head of the chiefs in this kingdom, I want to advice you to please choose wisely so that the kingdom will stay in the hands of peace and tranquility. I want you all to know that if you make a mistake by chosing the wrong person to sit on the throne, the kingdom will suffer like  a grass when two elephant are fighting. Remind you, it is against our tradition to suspend a king all because he is not doing well but he is entitled to remain on the throne till his call by our ancestors. So this is the right time to choose the right one. The eye of the gods will tell you the next thing to do. Thank you!

(Again the drummers resume drumming followed by the singers and then stopped when the chief priest raises his staff)

Chief priest: Well, the head of the chiefs has said everything that is needed to be said. Traditionally, I will nominate two people and while the last will nominate themselves, that is if you are interested you can present yourself before the people. So I nominate Dare and Afo.

(Chief Alaka and chief Otunba started waiting on Pa Aku to present himself, so he comes out raising his right hand which they all started smiling)

Pa Aku: (Clears his throat) I am interested......

(Then a murmur came from the congregation but stopped when the chief priest raises his staff)

Chief priest: Last person.....

Head of the chiefs: I am interested.......

(With anger Pa Aku stares at him but he refuses to look at him instead buries his face)

Chief priest: Very well then. We have gotten our contestant who are interested to sit on the throne. They will be given 7 days to prepare themselves to tell us their plans if selected as the new king. You may all go to your homes.

(Exit the market square)

                            ACT TWO

                              Scene I

(Enter Kufi and Tayo, the village palmwine tappers returning from their usual tapping)

Kufi: The table is served and it is now left for us to eat the food carefully. We served king Ata for many years and we all know what we experienced under him. He was created and made by Pa Aku and now the same person who made him want to be king, are we supposed to allow this evil to befall on us? 

Taru: May the gods forbid (passing his hands on his head) that can't happen.

Kufi: I pray so my brother.  Since that man became the king of this land, the king has not gotten it's peace. It has never happened before that our enemies conquer us in a war and now know one is safe to even go to the farm because  our enemies have turned us to grasshoppers who are running from traps. This is happening because the gods don't want him to be king. They completely turned their back on us ever since him and Pa Aku deceived us to make him king.

Taru: Well, we should be the ones to fight for our peace by chosing the right person on the throne. Actually, Pa Aku cannot be our next king. There is nothing that qualifies him to be our king.  Just like what you said, he made king Ata to become king and under this man's existence on the throne the kingdom has never gotten any single peace. The only news we hear everyday was the killing of our people by our enemies. What irritate  me was he will not even make any effort to ensure that the land is well secure. All he know how to do is to collect tax from the people and gives half of it to Pa Aku. 

Kufi: Can you imagine. Which means a man who   create thieves cannot be trusted to secure a land.

Taru: Exactly my brother. Another thing is, Pa Aku is too old so he lacked the strength to rule this land. The land needs somebody that can walk on it without being carried by people. It needs somebody who can clears the grass without enslaving the people to do the work. 

Kufi: Let's that old man go and relax joor.

Taru: He won't rest oo because he really mean it to become the king.

Kufi: We will protest against him then.

Taru: Protest against him?

Kufi: Yes of course.

Taru: (He stops his bicycle) Are you forgotten?

Kufi: (He stops pushing his bicycle too) Why should I forget? The memory of the killing of our innocent people during the protest against king Ata can never fade away.

Taru: That's very true, that's why you easily remembered.

Kufi: Yes ooo

(Then they resume pushing their bicycles)

Taru: The command of their killing was not even the order of king Ata but it was Pa Aku that made the order.

Kufi: Then that same person want to become our next king.

Taru: The gods will not allow him.

Kufi: But we have to do our parts ooo because the way he plans it, is very serious. Know that he has money and most of the prominent chiefs, he was the one that made them, including the head of the chiefs. So do you think those chiefs will not work for him?

Taru: They will but that head of the chiefs is a very greed and ungrateful person.

Kufi: Actually, he is a betrayal. I support Pa Aku in only that issue. The head of the chiefs should have step down just to show respect for Pa Aku because he was the one who made him.

Taru: That man I know, he won't agree to step down and you will see.

Kufi: I won't even argue with you because I know him very well too.

Taru: Anyways, let's  plant our crops in the appropriate time not by planting it in a time that it will turns to a corn of wheat.

Kufi: That's very true. (Changing the topic) Are you going out today?

Taru: Aha my brother,. I am not going anywhere ooo. I need to take a rest.

Kufi: That will be fine then

Taru: Yes ooo. What about you?

Kufi: Same as you planned

(They both got to their departure ways)

Taru: OK na, we will see tomorrow.

Kufi: All right then but don't come late for work as you did today ooo.

Taru: I will try to make a change

(They both burst into laughter)

Kufi: Very well then. My regard to your family.

Taru: They will hear and yours too.

Kufi: They will hear too.

Taru: OK farewell my brother.

Kufi: Farewell too my brother.

(Then they both depart by going to their difference ways to their houses)

           

                                ACT TWO

                                 Scene II

(Pa Aku decides to visit the head of the chiefs to settle with him to step down. He prepares himself and asks his son, Debo to accompany. Immediately they get to the house of the head of the chiefs, he asks Debo to wait for him outside as he is welcomes by the head of the chiefs)

Head of the Chiefs: (Arranging a sitting place for him) Aha, chief......you may have your sit, sir.

Pa Aku: Oh, thank you!

Head of the Chiefs: The gods blessed me today for your visit, sir.

(They both laugh but not from inner heart by Pa Aku)

Pa Aku: Really, chief?

Head of the Chiefs: Yes ooh

Pa Aku: May the gods be praised then.

Head of the Chiefs: (Applauding) Well be praised! Oh.... less I forget, I have a very sweet palmwine brought to me by Taru, one of the village  palmwine tapper. You may know him.

Pa Aku: Oh! That's great! But I don't think my visit will need such......

Head of the Chiefs: Aha no ooh, chief. It must need it ooo, no matter how urgent.

Pa Aku: Very well then. Since you insist.

Head of the Chiefs: Yes, I humbly insist sir. Thank you! (he then calls his second wife....) Mama Dafun.....(he calls four times before she respond) Please, bring me the new palmwine that Taru brought for me this morning.

(Enter mama Dafun as she brings the palmwine)

Mama Dafun:  Greetings to you, chief.

Pa Aku: Greetings to you too, our wife.

Mama Dafun: Thank you, sir. Hope my senior sister, mummy Debo is doing fine?

Pa Aku: She was fine when I left her at home this afternoon and she sent her greetings..

Mama Dafun: Oh, help me to thank her and extend my humble greetings to her, too.

Pa Aku: She will hear if the gods keep her safe.

(Exit mama Dafun after serving them the palmwine )

Head of the Chiefs: (Sifting himself to the front  of the sit as he prepares to taste the palmwine as the tradition demands) As our custom and tradition demand, I remove the poison from this fresh palmwine (after taken from it, he gives Pa Aku his own share)

Pa Aku: Oh! Thank you very much.

Head of the Chiefs: It's my pleasure, chief. (wanting to know the purpose of his visit)

Chief......

Pa Aku: Yes.....

Head of the Chiefs: I was surprised to be honorably visited by you today.

Pa Aku: Oh! really?

Head of the Chiefs: Yes, chief.

Pa Aku: Because it's urgent and crucial

Head of the Chiefs: Okay. That's should be a toad that goes out in a broad day light and something must be after it. So what could that be, chief?

Pa Aku: (Dropping the cup of the palmwine on the table) Well, you may already know the reason why I am here.

Head of the Chiefs: But you may surprise to be told that I am not, chief.

Pa Aku: Very well then. I will tell you what is after the toad. You will know why the cock is out in the middle of the night and crows. You remember our agreement, right?

Head of the Chiefs: (pretending not to know) What agreement, chief?

Pa Aku: The agreement that was made after I strived to make you as the head of the Chiefs.

Head of the Chiefs: Well, if it is that agreement to make you as our new king, I don't think it will still possible.

Pa Aku: Why?

Head of the Chiefs: Because I am interested in the throne too.

Pa Aku: Oh really?

Head of the Chiefs: Yes, chief.

Pa Aku: Then you must step down for me

Head of the Chiefs: No, I can't.

Pa Aku: Then you are betrayal. 

Head of the Chiefs: I am not because I am paying you tax and that was the agreement I even know.

Pa Aku: Oh! Interesting to know!

Head of the Chiefs: Yes. If more, then I am not part of it. So I cannot step down.

Pa Aku: (Hitting gently his right leg on the floor) I must still say that you are a betrayal.

Head of the Chiefs: Then I must still say too that my agreement with you is to pay you your tax. So I used that to fufil the agreement.

Pa Aku: I will leave you but you will who will be disgraced before the people.

Head of the Chiefs: Let's wait and see then.

(Pa Aku stands up with anger as he prepares to take his leave after the head of the Chiefs refused to step down for him to go for the throne of the king)

Pa Aku:  We shall see (then he steps outside without calling his son, Debo that came with him and he leaves)

Debo: (Running after his anger father) Father please wait for...........(finally meets his father who his angrily walking without a stop)

(Exit head of the chiefs)

 

                             ACT TWO

                             Scene III

(Pa Aku returns to his house with a serious anger, so he intends not to answer greetings. He went straight to his but and Remi sees him and decides to know the cause of his anger which she felt that might be caused by his meeting with head of the Chiefs)

Remi: (Talking to herself) Why is daddy Debo this angry? Let me go to him and know why ( she walks to him in the hut). Daddy Debo, well come.

Pa Aku: (Soliloquizing) Can  imagine this nonsense? He will see me when the time comes.

Remi: Please talk to me, my husband. He refused to accept to step down for you?

Pa Aku: (Getting more angry) What sort of question is....... 

Remi:  Oh! sorry sir.

Pa Aku: Better. But why I'm I transferring aggression on my wife? (He asked himself)

Remi: Your food is ready (Arranging them on the table for him)

Pa Aku: Forget about food first. Can you imagine, just imagine that ingrade. I humbly visited him to step down for me to go for the seat of the king, but he refused.

Remi: I told you before that, that man is a betrayal but he would be disgraced by the people which I believe.

Pa Aku: I told him the same thing.  I did not even know that Debo accompanied me to visit him, so I left with anger without remembering. Is he back? (He resumes eating his food)

Remi: Yes. You both came back at the same time.

Pa Aku:  Please call him for me

(Enter Debo entering from the back Debo)

Debo: Father, mother says you called me.

Pa Aku: Yes. Please call Chief Otunba, Chief Alaska, just two of them. (He clears his throat and drinks water) Tell them that the call is urgent.

Debo: OK father

(Exit Debo)

Remi: Let me bring you palmwine to digest the food

Pa Aku: Not for me alone, join for 

my visitors too.

Remi: OK I will. It's plenty

Pa Aku: Good

Remi:  (She stands to get the drink) I will be back soon

(Enter Chief Otunba and Chief Alaka)

Pa Aku: Chief......so fast.......you are already here?

Chief Otunba: When the gods are in need of rain, the rain will not say that it cannot water the earth because the gods made it.

Pa Aku: That's true and it is a sign of gratefulness.

Chief Otunba: You are right, chief.

(Enter  Remi bringing in the palmwine and serve it on the table)

Chief Alaka: The chiefs of Umuaro smelled the aroma of the fresh palmwine served by our incoming queen.

Remi: (She smiles) The table is served (Arranging the local made cups on the table and she leaves)

Chief Otunba: Thank you, chief.

Pa Aku: Let's drink before we resume talk of why I called you. (Then he serves each of them and also himself) You remember the last time that I told you I was going to visit the head of the chiefs to seek for his support? (They both responded with confirmation and he continues) OK. I visited him this morning and pleaded that he should step down and support me to become the president, but he refused.

Chief Alaka: He refused that what?

Pa Aku: He refused like I said.

Chief Otunba: (Clears his throat) Well, I won't be surprised because I know what he can do. But that is not withstanding. We met some of the Chiefs like chief Motu, Chief Kuru and Chief Akinde. They are both with you, chief, don't be scared.

Pa Aku: That's very good. Thank you very much for that.

Chief Otunba:. We cannot be ingrade to you, chief because you made almost all of us.

Chief Alaka: We have already seen the traitor and we will know our stand now. But this is disappointing (he modes his head)

Pa Aku: To me,the thing that is worse than death is betray. You see, I could conceive death but I could not conceive betray. The worse pain in the world goes beyond the physical. Even further beyond any other emotional pain one can feel, it is the betrayal of the person you made and trusted so much. Well, me that made him (referring to the head of the Chiefs) can unmake him.

Chief Otunba: Sure

Pa Aku:  Mama Debo will meet with the women tomorrow to seek for their support.

Chief Alaka:  That's a good plan, chief. I will tell my wife to accompany her.

Chief Otunba: My wife will follow too

Pa Aku: Very well then. 

Chief Otunba: We beg to take our leave, chief. But this palmwine is very sweet. (They both laugh)

Pa Aku: Yes, you may. Carry the remaining one along with you.

Chief Otunba: Oh thank you chief.

(Exit)

                             ACT THREE

                                SCENE I

 (All the village women gathered at the village meeting center with Remi, accompanied by the two wives of the prominent chiefs, Otunba and Alaka. A murmur came from the congregation as the women are waiting to be addressed by their leader, Remi. Then she stands up as she prepares to address them)

Remi: (Adjusting her cloth and then clears her throat) Women of Umuaro, I greet you all. (They answered and she continues) I happily want to welcome you all to this meeting and I believe that I will have your corporation.

Women 1: Go ahead, women leader. We are all hears  and promising to give you our corporation as our leader.

Women 2: Yes, go ahead ma.

Remi: Very well then. I want to start by thanking you for honouring my invitation. Our elders say that when you honor the invitation of a king, he will make you as his best friend because you respected him. So thank you very much. 

Like a family bell summoning the family,

I summoned you in this beautiful morning

to declare the intention of my husband to go for the seat of the king. I don't need to remind you that he makes many prominent chiefs of this kingdom into their positions and I believe some of you here are a benefit of this help because your husbands are among. One of the former king refused to support some part of this kingdom because the people in the places were competition with him for power, so he wanted to give them a deadly punishment by not allowing them to farm but it was my husband who stood by them and also used his own money to provide for their families.Therefore, it's time to reciprocate the favour he had rendered for us in the past and the present. Thank you.

(There was a heavy silence after the address but women 1 stands up to unmute it)

Women 1: I want to speak on behalf of the great women of Umuaro that we will give our support to Pa Aku because he deserves it! 

( Yes oo, chanted by the congregation but was later interrupted by Ogoere, head of the chiefs' wife)

Ogoere: Point of correction, the just concluded speaker cannot speak for all of us because she is not us. Let her only speak her mind and not the mind of all of us because nobody is her slave her.

Women 1: Are you our leader that will speak that way?

Ogoere: No I am not, but what I said is just the truth. Besides I didn't call anybody's name.....

Women 1: ( Adjusting her rapper on the waist) Then who is the last speaker that you just mentioned now?

(Remi intervenes, calming the two them)

Remi: Is OK great women of our land. It's not good to sperate ourselves. But why did you interrupt that way? (Asking Ogoere)

Ogoere: There is no need to tell you that if Amalinze D-cat sees Okonkwo, he will not dance again to wrestle with him.

Remi: And what's that suppose to mean?This is unnecessary, so stop it. Don't interrupt the way you just did, it is not good.

Ogoere: What's not good? I have already told you that there is no need to tell you why I interrupted. 

If you ask me questions, they will sound rhetorical because you already know the answers. 

My husband is interested on the throne, so why so I betray him and support another man?

Remi: Oh ! 

It's now I understand you. 

Is that your mind? 

So you can't advice your husband to step down for my husband who made him?

Why are humans this ungrateful?

Ogoere: Ungrateful for what? Is my husband not paying him his tax?

Women 1: Don't stress yourself. It's obvious that this woman and her husband are very ungrateful.

Ogoere: You will tell me the meaning of ungratefulness, Mrs Ungrateful.

Remi: Enough of this women. Let's be guided with orderliness please. We are all mothers and wives of great people, so we are expected to maintain that respect.

Ogoere: (Standing up from her sea and adjust her rapper) Well, I can't be part of this. I cannot betray my husband, so I am leaving.

Women 1: Please go away because we don't need you.

Ogoere: Who want to be needed by you. (She hisses and leaves the meeting)

Women 2: Please let her go, we don't need her. Besides who is she? 

Women 1: (Hitting her two palms on her lap) Ask them ooo my sister......

Remi: Mothers of our children, please it's OK. Our people say that one who doesn't know the value of the cloth his king gave him will end up not respecting by the people. The head of the chiefs is like. We shall see for ourselves in the few days to come to select our new king.

(Pa Aku is our king and nobody else, the congregation chanted)

Remi: (Clearing her throat with heavy smile on her face) Mothers of our children, I thank you all. Indeed, I am overwhelmed. I shall be trusting on you all. (Given eye signal to Mrs. Ireti to present what they brought for them)

Mrs. Ireti: Mothers of our children, I greet you all. I am happy to see you cooperating with our dear women leader to happily support Pa Aku to become our new king. Women leader is very much happy like I did. So she asked me to present these token gift of rappers for you. Not just that but you will hear more from her. Thank you.

(Women leader...... women leader...... women leader...... women leader, chanting by the congregation with heavy drumming and clapping)

Remi: Mothera of our children, I thank you once again. I want to make a promise to you that Pa Aku's administration will sponsor the education of each of your children, but one each. In addition, I will pay all your annual dues for this year. Thank you. (Then the congregation started singing and clapping for her)

(Exit)

                               ACT THREE

                                  Scene II

(The scene opens with Pa Aku sitting outside his hut like a king waiting for the return of his messenger to deliver the message he sent him for. The sun brighten his face as he smiles by seen his wife who just walks in to the compound)

Pa Aku: What could have caused this beautiful smile on my face? Why I'm I like a woman that becomes glad after seen a man's penis?

Remi: (She smiles) Because my husband sees my virginia that bear him children.

Pa Aku: Yes, I trust you that you always make me happy on bed.

Remi: The trust can never fade like a summer that appears only on May. 

Pa Aku: That's very correct. So what child are you giving me this time? I am hoping to get twins......(they both burst into uncontrollable laughter)

Remi: Well, just like you wished. I promised you to meet with the women and come back with a good result.

Pa Aku: Yes you did, my dear wife. So what is the outcome? I trust you!

Remi: They are all for you. Out of 100 eggs, it was just one that got spoiled.

Pa Aku: Ogoere guess.

Remi: Yes, but how do you know?

Pa Aku: You don't expect me to tell you where a pit is dug in this house because I am the owner of the house. Her husband has infected her with his ungrateful behavior.

Remi: Some of the women confronted her. Well she is nothing as far as the majority of the women are concerned. I have made an arrangement with them of how we are going to make everything practicable for you to succeed.

Pa Aku: So what did they agree with?

Remi: We both planned together to arrange our children too to select you.

Pa Aku: This is so brilliant! 

Remi: It is......

Pa Aku: I will want Debo summon Chief Otunba for me to plan ahead of tomorrow for selection.

Remi: OK let me call him. (Then she goes to his hut and calls him)

(Enter Debo hanging a cloth on his shoulder)

Debo: Father good afternoon. Mother told me you called me.

Pa Aku: Yes I did. Please call Chief Otunba for me right away.

Debo: OK father. (Then he left)

Remi: What should I prepare for your visitor?

Pa Aku: He likes palmwine, so just bring only that one.

Remi: OK a minute. (She left and enters again with the palmwine) Oh chief is already here. (Greeting Chief Otunba) Welcome chief. How are my children at home?

Chief Otunba: They are fine. They sent regard.

Pa Aku: Chief have your sit please.

Chief Otunba: Thank you, chief.

Pa. Aku: