Not For Sale EP 12: The Payroll of Prayer

This episode highlights the stark contrast between individuals who maintain their integrity under pressure and those who use their social influence for transactional political gain. The drama opens in a hospital, where an Hon. Madukanaya visits Majie, a victim of a violent political attack. Although the Honourable offers a bag of fruits and an envelope of money as "support," Majie and his wife, Aruude firmly reject the financial inducement. They explain that accepting money near an election creates a conflict of interest and could be seen as an illegal inducement. Majie, a retired magistrate, well-versed in the Electoral Act, reminds the visitor that making any gift, loan, or promise to induce a person for an election return is a crime carrying a maximum fine of 500,000 Naira, 12 months imprisonment, or both. To ensure their independence, Majie even instructs his wife to throw away the fruits after the Honourable leaves, reaffirming the series' theme that their conscience is "not for sale". In a contrasting scene, Honourable visits Pastor Cletus to seek his "crowd-controlling" influence for the upcoming election. The Pastor is initially angry, feeling neglected since the last election cycle. However, the conflict is not over morality, but the size of the bribe; the Pastor is insulted by a 200,000 Naira offering, noting that other politicians have placed their "pastors and prophets on monthly payrolls". Once the Honourable agrees to put him on a regular payroll, the Pastor’s spirit is "quickly" moved to offer prayers and a blessing for the candidate’s campaign. The narrative then shifts to a discussion between two men regarding Gbagagba, a political thug currently suffering in police detention. They observe that Bangab’s boss, Hon. Madukanaya, has completely abandoned him, leaving him to face the law alone while the politician continues his campaign. The men conclude that politicians often use the youth as "tools" for their evil deeds by making them believe there are no meaningful jobs available. The episode concludes with a stern warning to the audience to "shine your eye". It reminds citizens that any gift received during an election cycle—be it money, food, or even fruit—can be a trap and a crime. The final message urges the community to refuse to sell their conscience for peanuts, as power gained through bribery and broken promises will never lead to true progress.The drama was created and produced by Chris Sanctus Okereke, written by Ikechukwu Odum, Hillary Chukwu, and Godswill Egede. Listen now, follow, and join the dialogue.