To The Late President Mills

That day he was due to travel to Nigeria,
And it was rumoured it was a ploy to see T.B. Joshua.
But as noble as he was will he ever lie to his dear nation?
I pondered and rubbished the detractor's rumours.
After all he had enough strength for the past, the present and the
future, and his triumphant entry back to Ghana was a sign of victory!

Ah my heart danced and leaped for joy when at the airport he jogged,
Tears of joy streamed down my eyes and that of millions to see the
President back and fit.
My heart melted when he spoke,
But the detractors said he was nasal to my great dismay.
Yet again my ears heard what my soul yearned for,
As his aides and ministers echoed the melodious chorus - 'the
president is very fit'

I believed them cos they always told the truth,
Cursing heaven and earth on TV and radio to prove our leader was well,
And referring to the moments he stood for hours when he met the press.

Oh I believed them cos they always thundered the truth,
Proving the 'anointed' president was never bedridden as speculated by
the detractors,
And referring to moments when one of them died whenever such rumour occurred.

I believed them cos they were born for the truth,
As they hinted the ever-popular president need not to be present on
campaign grounds,
But rather be waving to the cheering crowd and not even bother to
speak when he happens to be there.
But they never told us he will be absent because of death and will be
dragged through the streets in a coffin to the view of wailing crowd
and be abandoned in a place called Asomdwee park.

So on that fateful Tuesday when it was again rumoured the president was gone,
I laughed within and aloud, ate my meal, cursed the detractors and
expected one to die.
The rumour echoed, the weather was dull, the faces of people seemed
mournful but I remained hopeful.
How can a whole president who had his birthday only three days ago
just die without any cause? How can a man due for Nigeria just pass
on?

I persistently argued my case and waited in vain for the truth
ambassadors to denounce the rumour once and for all.
But in the end my cheerful face made way for a mournful mood,
I trembled and flood of tears burst out from my eyes when the media
confirmed the terrible news.
How strong men shook their heads in great disbelief and wet their
clothes with tears,
Ah! How eyes were red as blood for noble Mills who made Dr. Mrs. Naadu
a widow in just one day.

Days have passed and given birth to weeks , months and now 2 years
after the blackest day,
But I still wonder why my hero's demise was not investigated but
treated like an unwanted dog's case.
How come they confessed he was sick after his demise but insisted he
was very fit when he lived?
How come a whole president send a brother to buy a cervical collar
from a local pharmacy instead of expert's attention?
How come it was massive stroke when he was able to lift his hands and
commit his soul into the hands of God?
Did the media have a hint when they constantly asked experts in the
news as to what will happen at the sudden demise of the president?
Why even the silence of the great tree that birthed it's most exalted
son when he passed on in controversy?

Am confused, oh God show me the truth.
What should I do oh whom should I now believe?
The so-called detractors or acclaimed saints of truth?
Was it murder or lateness to the hospital?
Was it maternity or ambulance with no presidential escorts?
The questions and answers rages on but am no more a fool to rubbish
any as rumour.

One thing I know and this is what for life I will remember,
Just one day a great leader flew to the maker without saying goodbye,
Just one day a new leader was sworn into office in the evening of a
sorrowful cold Tuesday,
Just one day there was no more father for all and it was red and black all over,
Ah just one day there was no more of the Yutong bus driver who
addressed his passengers as 'my brothers and sisters'