After some years of struggle, I was able to make more discoveries that led to my settling my differences with Nedu. That was the point I discovered that Nedu was not one of the enemies of my progress. I will give you the details later. It was also that discovery that turned things around for me. I and Nedu later became friends.

The election for the leaders of our mechanics association takes place bi-annually. I have never shown interest in becoming part of the executive committee. But most of our members wanted me to be the chairman. Nedu was one of them. In fact it was Nedu that purchased the form on my behalf. It was I and Nnamdi my kingsman, that contested for the chairmanship position but I emerged the winner. From the day I emerged the winner Nnamdi turned himself to my enemy. I extended hand of fellowship to him but he rebuffed it.

If I had my way I would have resigned so that peace will reign. But doing that meant betraying the trust of the members and thereby leaving them in the hand of an autocratic man; Nnamdi. The rule of the association is that if anybody resigns his position , the person that scored the nearest highest vote will take over. In this case Nnamdi is the one. Other people who would have beaten him hands down in the election stepped down for me.

I decided to visit his workshop. I felt that would soften his mind towards me.

“My brother I have been here for some minutes but it’s like you don’t even recognize my presence. Your eyes are still on the newspaper you were reading before I entered.”

“Wonders shall never end! Iyk do you know that you lack respect. Let me remind you in case you have forgotten, you are a small boy. I don’t know what is swelling your head. Don’t worry, I will cool your head .You see that stolen mandate you are using to parade yourself around, very soon you will account for it. You still want to come to my shop and lord over me. I don’t blame you.”

“Please forgive me if I have offended you, in any way . You are the only brother I have in the association. I need you to survive. They say that charity begins at home. If I cannot maintain a good relationship with my brother, then how can I succeed as a leader?”

“God forbid I can never be a brother to an ingrate. A wicked man, a specialist in repaying good with evil. My way and yours will never cross. My generation and your generation will never have a meeting point.”

“Nnamdi I don’t understand you at all. How exactly have I wronged you?”

“Oh! I should wait until you deal with me. I am a wise man. I learn from what happen to others. If you can disgrace your uncle the way you did, then there is no evil you are not capable of committing”

“Which of my uncle are you talking about? Were you not the one that told me that you saw my uncle in native doctor’s house making incantation against me?”

“Ikenna you are very stupid. It is only a stupid man that will hear that something is ten, and will collect it, put inside pocket without counting. Who trained you in secondary school? Who paid for your apprenticeship fee? Who took care of you and your mother when your father died. All of a sudden, someone told you the same person is plotting your downfall and you believed it. Do you now agree with me that you are a fool. The only mistake Mazi Nze made was that he did not allow you to rot in jail. That is where over ambitious people like you end up.”

“Of course I was stupid and careless in the past. If not, a demonic man like you will not have gotten at me. Anyway I don’t dwell in the regret about my past. Rather, I thank God for the salvation of my soul.” I answered him.

“You called me demonic, now get out of my sight before I send you to an early grave.”

At that point, Nedu walked in. He signaled me to take my leave and I obeyed immediately.