-[in Pidgin] Boss Maka! -[gasps]
But how?
[thugs exclaiming]
[thug 1] Boss, please, it wasn't me.
-[Makanaki] Mm? -It wasn't us.
-I swear, it was Boss Odogwu. -[Makanaki] Really?
[thug 1] I swear!
-[chuckles] Call this my resurrection. -[gasps]
[laughing]
-[in Pidgin] Remember this place? -[exclaiming]
This is where you maggots betrayed me.
Hm?
Look at the floor.
-My blood might not have dried yet. -Boss Maka, please.
It wasn't us. I swear.
It was Boss Odogwu Malay. He did it!
-[chuckles] -[in Yoruba] Makanaki, please.
[in Pidgin] My sister, please help us beg him.
-It was the devil. -[in English] I swear. You know.
Oja-Agba.
Should we leave them?
-[in Pidgin] You're lucky. -Huh?
-She said I should give you a chance. -Thank you, Jesus.
-Thank God. -Thank you!
Auntie, God bless you.
-[Makanaki] But… -Huh?
We're gonna play a game.
-Chiji. -What? What?
We are too far from the house, let's go home before Daddy wakes up.
[Chiji tuts]
[animal whimpering]
Tyson!
-[Nnamdi] Was that him? -I think so.
-[gangster 1] Move! -[in Pidgin] It isn't that serious.
-What's all this? Calm down! -[gangster 2] Hey!
[in English] Spread out! Spread out!
[gangster 1] Spread out, guy.
[in Pidgin] Boss Maka, it was all a mistake.
We can run any package for you. We'll run any operation you want for free!
Please, Boss Maka, we're so glad you're back.
We'll never do that again!
Boss Makanaki, please!
-I'll run any operation you want. -[whispers] Bring that bottle.
[in Pidgin] Makanaki, please. We won't do it again.
Shh!
[in English] Rules of the game.
See this bottle? I am going to spin it three times.
If it stops in front of you…
[Makanaki chuckles]
[thugs exclaiming]
[in Yoruba] It shouldn't come to that!
[in Pidgin] I'm giving you a chance to live and you're still complaining.
Right?
End them.
[guns cock]
Wait, calm down. We'll play, Boss Makanaki.
Shit.
-We will play, Boss Maka. -Hm?
We'll play.
So, like I said, I'll spin the bottle three times.
[in Yoruba] Just three.
[in Pidgin] This means one of you won't die today.
I won't touch you.
But if it points to you…
Where is it?
Ah!
We have a deal?
[Makanaki] Hm?
Uh, yes.
-Agreed? -Okay. Agreed.
Okay, let's start.
-[exclaims] -[in Yoruba] Thank God.
[in Pidgin] Are you nuts?
Boss Maka, look, this is a tough one.
[hesitates]
Looks like it's between these two.
-Looks like it's this guy. -No! It is not me.
[gangster 1] Um, no, no, no.
-Looks like this maggot got it. -Boss, please. It's not me.
[thug 2] No! Look at it.
-No problem, let's measure it. -Measure it!
[glass shatters]
[gangster 2] Hey!
Ah! Tango!
-[gangster 2] It's a dog. -[dog whines]
[footsteps running]
-[gunshot] -[grunts]
[gangster 2 laughs]
[in Yoruba] That solves our math problem.
[Makanaki chuckles]
[gangster 2 snickers]
[in Pidgin] Maka, let me explain.
Odogwu made us do it. I could tell you where he lives.
[in English] Nnamdi! Did you hear that?
It sounded like a gun.
You said it is a gun and you're still moving there.
[Nnamdi sighs]
[Makanaki] Spin the bottle.
[grunting]
[struggling]
[grunting]
[exclaims]
And the three later become two.
-[in Pidgin] Spin it again. -Wait! Boss Maka.
I told you, I really can take you to where Odogwu lives.
Boss Maka, I'll take you right into his house.
So you think I don't know where to get to Malay?
That's for later.
-Spin it again. -Okay, wait, Boss Maka.
I know where he keeps his stash.
Yes! The warehouse, the product and even where he hides his money.
-And, and-- -[exclaims]
[in Yoruba] Let me talk.
-Boss Maka. -Mm?
[in Pidgin] He's got a shipment coming in. Tomorrow!
-Mm? -[in English] The shipment is huge. Large.
Where?
[footsteps running]
-[in Yoruba] You wouldn't lie. -[in Pidgin] We'd never lie to you.
If I'm lying, I'm dying!
-Please. -That's all we know, I swear!
[Makanaki] Hm.
[groans]
So…
[in Yoruba] Ready for the final spin?
[in Pidgin] But Boss Maka, we've told you everything we know.
It hasn't come to this. Boss Maka, please.
-We've told you everything. -Boss Maka, I could never lie to you!
-Please, Boss. -Please, I beg you.
I have given you everything I know. Please, Boss Maka!
Please. Please, please.
-I beg you, please… -[bottle spinning]
[yells]
-Boss Maka, please. -Boys! [kissing sounds]
[gun cocks]
[screaming] Boss Maka, wait! Wait!
[in English] Let's go! Let's go!
[Makanaki chuckles]
Chiji, please, let's go home.
[thug sobbing]
Makanaki, please. I don't want to die.
[sobbing continues]
[mumbling desperately]
[in Yoruba] Boss, Makanaki, please…
Please, please, please.
Go!
Huh?
Don't make me change my mind.
[laughing]
[gangster 1] Maggot!
[panting]
[grunts, yells]
[Makanaki chuckles]
[groaning] My leg!
[sobbing]
[groaning]
[in Pidgin] Makanaki, you promised you wouldn't kill me.
-I've told you everything. -[in Yoruba] I didn't break my word.
[thug in Pidgin] Boss Makanaki. Boss Maka, please.
Ma'am, my sister…
No, no, no!
[blow lands]
[thud]
[shouting]
[in English] He's coming!
-Nnamdi, let's go. -I can't move. Something's holding my leg.
-Like what? -I don't know.
[Nnamdi straining]
[Chiji] You know what? Wait here, let me call Mommy.
[Nnamdi] Don't leave me!
[Nnamdi] Please, sir, please.
[screams]
[man] And it is because of this, I've chosen to step down
as the CMP gubernatorial candidate
to focus more on my family.
[audience murmuring]
And I wish…
I wish to thank the CMP
for allowing me to serve them
and for their unreserved understanding of my decision to step down.
[unsettled chatter]
[woman] Please, please, stay calm.
We will get to your questions in a bit.
But you need to stay calm.
We would first like to thank Mr. Tunde Moshood
for his dedicated service to our great party.
With sadness,
we accept your resignation.
This would have put us in a very difficult position
had it not been for Alhaja Eniola Salami.
[applause, cheering]
We all have seen how well she has organized her campaign,
and how well she's doing in the polls.
Our parties share similar ideologies.
Therefore,
it is only logical
to embrace her campaign
as the new official gubernatorial candidate
on the CMP ticket.
[cheering continues]
Congratulations, Alhaja Eniola Salami.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I already feel so welcomed,
and with your backing,
I am certain that we shall clinch
the seat for governor
of the best state in Nigeria.
Lagos State.
[emphatic cheering]
We will now take a few questions, please.
[clamoring]
Thank you, Ma.
My name is Benson Friday from The People's Tribune.
The people would like to know if you'll be suing the government
over your false arrest and forced exile.
[Eniola] Sue?
Oh, not at all.
Why will I sue?
We all make mistakes.
I choose to let bygones be bygones.
I'm more focused on the future now.
[cheering, applause]
The government
admits to bungling your case.
[audience hushes]
[chuckles] The same case has caused you much distress and grief.
But you choose to turn the other cheek.
That must make you a very forgiving lady.
Please, sir, we are only taking questions, not comments.
And you may only ask a question once you have been chosen.
May I?
Thank you.
Madam.
What exactly is the president's involvement
in your pardon?
[audience murmuring]
[in Pidgin] What's on the news?
Huh? Eniola!
[Eniola in English] You haven't introduced yourself.
[Dapo] Apologies.
My name is Oladapo Banjo
and I work for The Conscience Newspaper.
You may have heard of us.
[Eniola] Um…
I can't say that I have, but anyway, Mr. Banjo…
I was not pardoned.
The charges were dropped
because I was found innocent of them all.
[sparse applause]
And, as you know,
I would not
be able to run for office if I was pardoned.
And, as for the president,
I have never met him before.
[in Pidgin] Mm! For God's sake!
[Eniola in English] …for the first time over the phone yesterday,
as he welcomed me
to the party.
I have no involvement with him,
apart from him being my able president, of course.
[applause]
[in Pidgin] Get off my TV! Am I going to eat your lies?
-[in English] Bring my plate. -Okay, sir.
[in Pidgin] All these liars.
[in Yoruba] She lies non-stop. [in Pidgin] Clear this one.
[in English] Madam.
Why do they call you the King of Boys?
[suspenseful music playing]
The "King of Boys"?
Yes, the "streets" refer to you
as the King of Boys.
I have never heard that before in my life.
-I have it on record here that people-- -Mr. Banjo.
I grew up in the streets,
and I have never denied this fact.
I have never forgotten where I came from,
unlike other people.
That is why a lot of my charities
and my refuge houses are still in the slum,
catering for people over there.
The people the recent governor does not care about.
Do you know why?
Because they do not wear the fancy clothes he wears.
Because they do not speak big English like his friends do.
But I, Eniola Salami,
do not only see their pain,
but also do something about it.
[murmuring in agreement]
And, in appreciation,
if the people choose…
to honor me
with a nickname,
who am I to complain?
I accept it with all my heart.
[audience cheering]
-[press officer] Okay. We have five… -[Jumoke] Stupid bitch.
She's turning it around!
Seun.
[press officer] …time for only one more question.
Now!
[Seun] Hello? Yes.
Jumoke, maybe we should just leave it alone.
[clamoring]
Yes, you, ma'am.
My name is Beverly, with the Eye on Naija Blog.
In a recent interview by the first lady of Lagos State, Jumoke Randle,
she urges authorities
to reopen investigations into your alleged corruption charges
and links to the underworld.
She insists your clearance is suspicious
and maintains that there's no smoke without fire.
What do you have to say in response to that?
[audience chattering]
[Eniola sighs]
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing to say to that woman.
I've seen
and I have heard all her personal attacks
against me in the media.
Who am I running against?
Her husband the governor?
Or herself?
That woman
should focus on her charity
and ribbon-cutting events…
and leave the race to the people with their names on the ticket.
And if
the governor's party
chooses to debate me
on flimsy rumors…
[chuckles]
Then the candidate, her husband, should bring it up himself.
I do not cater to…
[in Yoruba] What's that word?
Ah!
[snickers]
[in English] Irrelevance.
[audience cheering, applauding]
[shouts] I told you to leave it alone!
I told you to leave it alone!
But you never listen.
Look! Look at this.
[audience chanting]
[classical music playing]
[waiter] Good morning, Ma.
-[Jumoke] Thank you. -You're welcome.
[powerful music playing in Yoruba]
Thank you.
I see you finally made it.
I hope you don't make it a habit
of keeping first ladies waiting.
Good morning, Ma. What would you like?
Would you like what the first lady is having?
-Come on, Michael. It is Michael, right? -Yes, Ma.
I am sure Alhaja Salami's palate
is used to something more…
pedestrian.
Let's try not to overwhelm her.
-[chuckles] Thank you, Michael. -You are welcome.
As you know,
I'm the front runner
for the governor of Lagos State.
And I have been warned…
not to eat,
nor drink,
from just anywhere.
Too many bitter people around.
Leave us.
[Michael] Thank you.
I will not bother
beating around the bush.
I will make you an offer now,
and you will take it,
and you will drop out of the gubernatorial elections tomorrow.
[exclaims]
[scoffs]
[in Pidgin] The "juju" your witch doctor gave you…
[in English] It's not working on me.
Go back home.
[in Yoruba] Use it to rinse your mouth thoroughly…
then come back, and try talking to me again. Maybe it'll work.
[chuckles]
So you're this cheap!
The way you demanded the pen, I thought you were going to wow me.
But all you can offer is this chicken feed.
Quit playing games.
[in English] There are two state contracts we are willing to offer you and--
Contracts?
There is no contract in Lagos
that you want to offer me that I have not gotten before.
No.
[In Yoruba] Both the real… [in English] And the fake.
But there is something
I have wanted for a very long time
that you cannot offer me.
Are you going to make me beg for an answer now?
The seat
of the executive governor
of Lagos State.
Alhaja Salami,
I am trying my hardest to be reasonable with you.
Be reasonable with your mother.
For some reason,
you have decided to make this negotiation unnecessarily difficult.
Alhaja,
our paths might not have crossed in the past,
but you would do well to ask around about me.
And when I do ask about you,
what will they tell me?
They will tell you
not to overplay your hand.
[Jumoke] Once you walk out of this room,
my deal is off the table.
[in Yoruba] By the time I'd become a high-end gin,
you were little more than
tap water.
By the time…
I was in the streets,
you were just a toy for sugar daddies.
You are small.
Too small for my level.
[tuts] Little sister, don't overwhelm yourself.
[laughs]
[in English] When you get home, say hello to your husband.
[powerful music playing in Yoruba]
[phone ringing]
[flies buzzing]
[in Igbo] Boss, phone.
Says it's important.
What is it?
Odogwu? I don't understand what is going on.
They've destroyed everything.
They ransacked our warehouses.
Stolen our product and all the money in the safes, Odogwu.
Who?
I don't know, Odogwu. Maybe the same people who intercepted our shipment.
I don't know who'd dare do this to you.
Who was on guard?
Odogwu, they killed all the soldiers on duty.
[thug] Odogwu! Odogwu!
[in English] Move it or I blow your head.
Move it, my friend.
Odogwu.
[in Igbo] This woman's son…
Odogwu, he saw what happened here. They live nearby.
You know who I am?
[sobbing] Please don't hurt him. He is just a silly child.
Madam, I won't hurt him if he tells me what he knows. Who did this?
[in English] What happened?
[in Igbo] The foolish children
snuck out in the dead of night while my husband and I were asleep.
Later, Chijioke ran in, screaming that his brother was dead.
-[in English] He is dead? -[in Igbo] No, sir.
When Chiji brought his father here,
they found him on the floor. He fainted.
But when my husband told me
what he saw here,
I told him not to call the police,
or they'd say we were responsible.
Where is the other boy?
-Odogwu-- -Where's the other boy?
[exclaims]
Odogwu, he's at the hospital.
He's awake now but still in shock.
He won't speak or even eat. He sits and stares like he's seen a ghost.
Come over here.
Odogwu, please…
I said come here.
[mother] Odogwu, please.
I already told you I wouldn't hurt him.
But now you're both testing my patience.
Come over here.
[crying]
[mother] Go.
[in English] You saw what happened?
[Chiji sniffling]
[Odogwu] Are you afraid?
-You know who I am? -[sobs] Yes.
[in Igbo] You know nobody can hurt you or your family unless I say so.
[in English] So tell me, what did you see?
-[in Igbo] Tell him. -[Chiji whimpering]
[in English] I don't know the person,
but I heard this guy
call his name when he was begging.
What name did you hear?
[sobbing]
Tell him!
[in Igbo] Come whisper it in my ear, so no one else will hear. Tell me.
Come.
-[mother pleads] -Come close.
[mother] Tell him, Chijioke, tell him.
Ma, the Minister of Works and Housing has called five times today.
[woman] And I am sure he won't die if he has to make it six.
Jumoke.
Chief.
Yes.
[assistant] Evening, your excellency. Ma, I'll get back to the minister.
Sit down, dear.
You're looking well.
Oh, thank you, Chief. And you too.
You are still looking very agile.
How are you feeling now?
-Tunde-- -Oh, that's quite enough.
How about we cut past the phatic bullshit this time around?
The pretense is exhausting.
My masseur arrives in 15 minutes, so I'll get right to it.
Don't bother with that, Patrick.
Madam won't be staying long.
Back to what I was saying.
I have tolerated you in my family all these years because,
despite my reservations with your person,
I cannot deny
you've been the pivotal motivation in getting my son to where he is now.
Thank you, Chief.
Don't thank me.
It's not a compliment.
Yes, Chief.
Then what the fuck's going on with that Salami woman?
Why are you allowing her to threaten my legacy?
Chief--
Perhaps I've given you more credit than you deserve.
If so, then I no longer have any use for you.
Eniola Salami is a mere discomfort that's already been taken care of.
Good.
Because
I do not have to remind you of all people
how important this second term is to my son's future.
I want my son sitting in Aso Rock in five years.
That cannot happen
if he loses this reelection
and his credibility to that nincompoop.
He will not lose this election, Chief.
I promise you that.
It's quite a shame, really.
Eniola had proved
helpful to my late husband many times in the past.
[sighs]
It's unfortunate she's now become a sore thumb.
Well, I'm waiting.
Waiting for what, Chief?
Dear girl,
Tunde is my son
and, of course,
I'll do everything in my power to make sure he is reelected.
But, please,
do not take away the satisfaction of having to see you grovel for it.
I came here today, Chief, to solicit--
Beg.
Beg
for your assistance
because I have hit a wall that requires your skillful maneuvering.
That works.
And I think I have an old friend that can help.
[locks clicking]
Good evening, Aare.
Welcome, Madam. What can I offer you?
[in Yoruba] Peanuts?
[in English] Oh! There is suya in the fridge.
-Officer. -No, no, no.
I'm fine, thank you.
I ate before I came.
Oh! What about drinks?
-Officer. -Sir!
Go and bring one mineral from the fridge.
Mm.
-Sir, no mineral but stout. -Ah…
So take money from the counter and go buy--
Stout is fine.
[in Yoruba] Hm? You'll drink stout?
-[in English] Only if you share with me. -[chuckles]
-Officer! -Sir.
One stout and tumbler.
-Yes, sir. -Madam, please sit down.
[Aare chuckles]
Leave my own in the bottle. Mm.
Madam.
You can go.
Yes, sir.
Bush man.
[chuckles]
Jumoke Randle,
does your husband know you're here?
No, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Oh?
All right, what can I do for you today?
I need your help, sir.
You need my help?
My help for what?
Eniola Salami.
[laughs heartily]
[Aare sighs]
Okay.
[in Yoruba] So you're aware that
the stick that will pierce one in the eye is best avoided while still far away.
[in English] Of course. That's why I need your help, sir.
My help?
You need my help?
Tell me.
Your husband, since he got into that office,
has he come here to greet me?
Because if I didn't sign off on that seat,
he thinks he would be able to sit on it?
Hm? An ordinary, common thank you card, he cannot send to me?
[in Yoruba] Even the little contracts we used to enjoy from the government…
[in English] He has collected them and given them to other people.
You are sitting here asking for my help.
Huh?
This is true, sir.
But no matter how disappointed you are in my husband,
you cannot punish him by risking the alternative.
You and I both know what that woman is capable of
if she gets into power.
My husband is a good man.
But unfortunately,
he is very stupid.
Oh, yes.
He is very stupid indeed.
When it comes to politics,
he believes that the match
is won on the pitch,
when in fact, you and I both know
it is decided in the back rooms
long before the game has begun.
Mm-hm.
Despite his deficiencies…
God has been kind to him.
He is blessed with me.
[in Yoruba] It's true that my husband wears the crown,
but I give the orders.
[Aare] Mm.
He has the penis,
but I do the thrusting.
[Aare] Hm!
[in English] So I apologize on his behalf.
It really isn't his fault.
I should have known better.
That is why
I am here
to reiterate that we are indeed friends.
And, sir,
I am not my husband.
I know how to show appreciation to my friends.
[in Yoruba] Woman, get that thing out of my face.
[in English] You're blocking my television.
Move.
[Jumoke huffs]
-[sighs] -You see?
Your problem is that you speak too much English.
-Aare, I'm perfecting my Yoruba. -Go and perfect your Yoruba.
But you need to be afraid for your husband.
[in Yoruba] You see, I am the lion, king of the jungle.
He who leaves marks without a scalpel.
[exclaims] The elephant in any jungle!
[in English] I am the king of the jungle, but even I…
know that Eniola is not easy meat to fry.
Hm?
You think I am afraid?
[in Yoruba] One doesn't fight to save another person's head
only to have his own taken away by a falcon.
[in English] The question I ask myself is why must I put my hand inside your matter.
Why?
Sir, I hope you do not assume that Eniola
will let sleeping dogs lie between you two,
now that she is back.
I have heard stories of what you did to that woman.
Stories people will only say in whispers.
All she wants from us is to win an election.
But you, sir, she wants to exterminate.
Now,
imagine giving a person with that much thirst for your blood
the power of governor.
Let me tell you something.
She can't sit on the seat unless I sign off on it.
[laughing]
Eniola.
The same instrument you used to secure your candidates into power
is the one you say requires your sign off?
She knows every trick in your book
and that's because you handed her the keys to the city.
That woman is out for destruction
and you, sir…
You, sir, are the first name on her calling card.
[sighs] If you think that you are safe
in here…
I apologize
for wasting your time and mine.
[in Yoruba] Wait.
You're right.
I underestimated her the last time.
[in English] You can see that I am already suffering for that mistake, you can see.
But I want to assure you,
that mistake will never happen again.
Never.
[in Yoruba] Come back.
[in English] Your beer is getting hot.
If we have to strike first,
we must kill somebody. Are you ready to kill?
Hm?
Do you have the liver
to finish this journey if we start?
[in Yoruba] You can't enter the river
and then complain it's too cold or deep.
[in English] I am fully aware
what is required of me, sir.
And I am ready.
Good.
There is somebody nearby
that I can call to help.
The only thing is…
[in Yoruba] One doesn't use a snake's head to scratch one's nose.
Aare,
I'm not here to play.
I want to kill this very snake.
I will smoke it,
and I will eat it.
Bones and all.