Coup D'Etat

The politicians had absolutely no sense of discipline; neither in financial matters nor in personal conducts. The Nigerian politicians began to express their independence by reaching out to other countries including China and the Soviet bloc countries.  Such a fine woven mutually interdependent economic arrangement thwarted by a few upstart politicians with questionable credentials from American universities.  Who is to say what will happen there next?

Whatever develops in Nigeria were of interest to certain powerful business interests in London. These business interests were determined not to sit idly by while their former colonial outpost became the hunting grounds for such upstart nations like South Korea.  Pressure was therefore brought to bear on the Foreign Minister to see to it that the British grip on Nigeria was not lost.

“What will all this lead to?” questioned Lord Timothy in a House private session with the Foreign Ministry staff.  It was learned that Nigeria had signed a defense pact with a certain Asian Islamic Republic without consultations with the British Foreign Ministry. “At least for the sake of decency and as an act of friendship to us, considering that we were gracious enough to bestow independence on them without rancor.  Surely, they must understand that we have their best interests at heart.”

“You may be expecting too much from these people”, retorted Lord Fisher, one of the oldest members of the Lords.  “We should have better prepared them for our own system of government.  You cannot expect them to be able to operate a parliamentary system of government from a background of colonial tutelage. These things take time. Besides, they are entitled to associate with whomever they wish to associate with.  It is their prerogative, certainly.”

Lord Timothy had already fallen asleep and all the persuasive logic of Lord Fisher was lost on him.  He took no further interest in the proceedings and there the matter rested  It was the consensus of the general House that the matter be looked into by Lord Lindsey Happleworth, who was expected to intervene in the matter and take any appropriate actions needed to redirect the polity of Nigeria towards the British fold.  Coming to the Colony Club to meet the Nigerian group this afternoon was part of the facts finding mission and Lord Happleworth made it quite clear that he would rather be somewhere else.

“We have, my lord, squid marinated in parsley and onion soup; choice steak of swordfish barbecued in charcoal; a choice of fresh home grown vegetables; and buttered potato pudding,” announced the butler, hoping that Lord Happleworth was impressed with the austerity of the luncheon served at the club. It was generally known that Lindsey Happleworth was not one of your ferocious feeders. He ate right and rarely touched alcoholic beverage; which is why he was not shown the wine list.  Besides, it was the policy of the club not to serve alcoholic beverages except in rare festive occasions.

Announcing the menu for the afternoon was mostly a matter of formality.  The club chef had obtained the menu from Lord Happleworth’s personal cook. Food was very important to the Lord and he was not very fond of surprises.  He and Lady Sarah Happleworth were known to send their choice of meals ahead to any affair they were expected to attend in where food was part of the agenda.

To day, lunch would be served at one o’clock sharp.  Lord Happleworth arrived half an hour early in order to read the profiles of the men he was going to eat lunch with.  He reached into his briefcase and produced a manila envelope enclosing the briefing, which the staff at the foreign office had prepared for him. He was scheduled to meet and eat lunch with the Honorable William W. Wilberforce, Minister for foreign affairs, Alhaji Sarkin Yaki, the premier of Northern Nigeria, Chief Afolobi Adisa, premier of Western Nigeria, and Chief Nathaniel Obi, the premier of Eastern Nigeria. An asterisk was placed after the name of the premier of Eastern Nigeria as a warning that he was the troublesome lot.