He became the president by divine intervention. His rise in politics was a thing of surprise to many. From the least elected political office to the prestigious office of the president, He indeed rose through the ranks. In all these political positions, both last and present, he did not struggle like his contemporaries to get in. Once he comes out he wins and most times with a landslide.
His ascension into the office of the president did not go down well with the powers that be in the country. This is because he refused to 'play the ball'. He stepped on powerful toes by probing the past administration. He discovered series of financial impropriety and massive fraud with contract awards. He strenghtened the anti corruption agency and prosecuted offenders through it.
Series of calls from the power brokers and party stalwarts to back down on some of the cases bordering on corruption charges and
involving the high and mighty fell on deaf ears. He was on a path to restore the county to its lost glory. The masses hailed him as the Messiah, the corrupt political class hold him to scorn because he was their chief tormentor.
Series of nuctural meetings were held and plans to stop him from getting re-elected for his second term thickened. Machineries were placed both in the military, police and the election umpire to ensure that their plans never fails. If Mr. President wins, they will cause anarchy in the land and invite the military to take over. He saw the signs clearly as if same were written on the wall.
No sitting president has lost his re-election bid in the country and they know all this. Having seen the handwriting clearly Mr. President assured the people that his re-election bid is not worth more than a single blood of a citizen. He never sounded war and brimstone should he lose the election. He is a man of honour and peace.
The election came and the president lost. All his aides and close political associates refused to accept the result as genuine. The international community and the regional power block were all watching to see what will happen. Arms dealers and by extension countries dealing on arms were all smiling for a potential quick sales. There was strong tension and palpable fears within the polity. History has thus been made. Mr. President has become the first sitting president to lose his re-election bid. But to the amazement of all, the president came on air, accepted the result of the election, conceaded defeat and congratulated the winner.... his political rival!!!
That singular act of the president saved the country from alot of things...there would have been a political turmoil in the country with it's attendant humanitarian crisis. According to the president, "my quest to be president is not worth more than the blood of a citizen of this great country". "No blood shall be shed for me to remain in power. Power belongs to God. I have never struggled for it till date and I will not do so now. All that I have achieved politically has been through his mercy and benevolence".
With that Mr. President stepped down and retired to private life. Most however believe that he should be awarded the Noble Prize for being an ambassador for peace. In recognition of his love for peace, the regional body appointed him as an ambassador for peace. He goes to countries that experience post election crisis in a large magnitude and talk to the warring factions to emulate him and step aside and allow peace to reign.
This short story is a five-minute freewrite inspired by the prompt: "Noble Prize". Join the @freewritehouse community to receive daily prompts, hosted by @mariannewest.