Peter Akale

Akale as Governor

> I have great plans for this state.
>
> Peter Akale

**Peter Akale** was a politician who served as the Governor of Savannah State. Akale is the husband of Magdalen Akale. Akale, who was born in Savannah, was seen as a moderate and trusted figure, who was a masterul politican with few enemies. This came at the cost of accountability within his government, and many officials used his trust to their advantage. He took Angela Ochello and Henry Duke under his wing, as they served as his Deputy Governor and Chief of Staff, respectively. He inspired citizens and fellow politicans alike, and garnered repsect from the various factions in Savannah. Akale's Administration reduced crime, and started various income projects. However, budget concernes and other financial related issues casued more problems than anticpated. Akale died a few days after a severe car accident, the result of a lack of competent equipment. He was just 1 year into his 4 year First Term. His death nearly caused a total power vaccum, but ultimately led to the rise of Angela Ochello succeeding him as Governor of Savannah State. Akale’s left a legacy of stability but also a lack of accountability in state politics.

## Governor of Savannah State

### Election

During the primaries of the leading party’s bid for the seat of Governor in Savannah, Peter ran with the support of the Shining Light Group Faction led by Chief Sobifa Thompson. Meanwhile, the Primrose Group Faction, led by Chief Gbenga Momoh-Alli, did not support him. Akale ultimately secured the party’s nomination however, and as a compromise with the Primrose Faction, chose Angela Ochello to join his ticket. Ochello, a former dentist and the daughter of Gbenga, had no prior political experience, but felt she could affect change for fellow women and other peoples. The Akale-Ochello ticket secured the election for the leading the party.

### Policies

During his first and only year in office, Akale oversaw a drastic reduction of crime. He also oversaw the beginning of many infrastructure projects within the state. These projects included fields such as healthcare, the welfare of women, and basic road repairs. Akale’s government also opened up negations with the Chinese for a deal, which included the mining of iron ore in the Alase Estate.

### Corruption

A moderate, Akale did his best to appease the party elite, while also trying to complete the various project his administration started. Unfortunately, the affairs of the Finance Ministry, headed by Commissioner Friday Bello of the SLG, went unchecked, and many of the projects Akale started would never be fully realized in his lifetime. Corruption was also a major issue, and many cuts were made from key projects that would’ve helped the population, as funds instead went to members of the party and other like minded politicians. Inforamtion, especially regarding the status of projects as the Chinese deal, was withheld from Deputy Governor Ochello. The evening before his last press conference, Akale signed a memorandum of understanding, stating some form of an agreement, to the delight of Friday Bello. Henry Duke, Akale’s reliable Chief of Staff, warned Akale from pursing the deal, but Akale pushed forward anyway.

### 12-Year succession plan

Akale agreed to allow Friday Bello to succeed him as Governor. It was understood that Ochello had no intentions to continue as Peter’s deputy after their first term expired, so it was assumed Friday would run as Peter’s Deputy. Once both of Akale’s terms expired, Akale would either resign, or throw his support behind a Bello Campaign, so that Friday would become the next Governor. Henry Duke was one of the few party members who was aware of this. Although Ochello was not fully aware of the plan, her father, Chief Momoh-Alli of the Primrose Group was.

## Final Days

Peter Akale, having concluded an annual press confrence at the Governor's office, was traveling in his convoy to Ajase, when it was slammed into by a truck. Akale was rushed to hopsital in critical condintion, as he had sustained servere internal and external injuries. Dr. Fred assumed Akale under his care. He said he was unconscious, and that his diabetes was complicating treatment for his injuries. The hopsital also lacked adequate equipment. Magdalen, his wife, was despearte for him to recover, and entrusted Henry Duke, his loyal Chief of Staff, to his care. The Big Three visted Akale in the hospital, and aksed Hnery to seal off information about his contion. Dr. Jalo sugegtsed flying him out, but the idea was dismissed at the time.

### Manipulation

The following day, Henry aired his concern to Dr. Fred, who himslef was unsre of a full recovery. Later that evening, Magdalen, Peter's wife, approached Henery and Musa, his CSO, and complaiend about the lack of competenec, and unless he showed immediate imrpovement, to make arrangements for Peter to be flown out. Musa, who was silent during thh intercation, took this ifnormation to Friday and teh Big Three, unknowingly to Magdalen, or Henry. The follwing day, the Big Three visited Akale again, forcing Angela Ohello, his deputy, to wait for atleast an hour before she was abale to see him. Angela became concerned that they, along with others in the party such as Friday Bello, were hiding something. This was infact true to some extent, and although Angela was concerned, Hnery Duke was blind to their dealings, although he did shows signs of suspiscion throughout.

### Flying Peter Out

After two days of no imporvemnet, Hnery and Magdalen prepared for his to be flown out to Switzerland that night, for further treatment. Dr. Fred cautioned against this saying he was too unstable, but Magdalen's imptaince trumped his anxiety. Later while at the Governor’s Mansion, Henry called and told her that both air ambulances were no longer available, despite them being ready and fueld, to Magdalen do to whatever to took to get Peter in the air. Unknown to her, the Big Three, in their efforts to avoid a repeat of history, had orchestrated the whole affair.

## Death

*For the **main article** on this topic see, Death and funeral of Peter Akale.*

Magdalen, Henry, Dr. Fred, and Musa requested the transfer papers, before a scheduled charter flight, but they were missing. They were eventually found, but Magdalen was furious with the incompetence at the hospital. Not long after, a nail was discovered in the ambulance, and the other was missing. Magdalen, desperate for a chance to save her husband, was informed by Henry that they were offered an escort by Dr. Jalo’s ambulance service to leave at 7pm that night. As the plans were being finalized, Peter Akale suffered a sudden seizure, and died shortly after. Magdalen, overwhelmed with grief, collapsed onto the floor.

### Power Vacuum

Despite him being a high profile poltical figure in a state with 15 million people, outside of the hospital staff present and Magdalen, the Big Three (through Musa and Friday Bello), were the first to be awrae of his seizure and subsequent death. The resulting cover up led to a near vacumm, until Angela Ochello reasserted control as the next Governor of Savannah State. Chief Thompson had Musa safeguard the information from not only the party and people, but also members of Akale’s own team. Also, Magdalen had been sedated at the hospital, and the staff remained quiet. The Big Three prioritized absolute discretion about Peter’s condition, so that Friday would be positioned to become the next Governor, not Angela Ochello, who gave the men assurances that she would resign at 2pm that day. The silence on Akale’s condition was broken however, when Friday had Musa leak the news to the press that Peter had in fact died, following the realization that Angela did not want to resign. This sudden news prompted intense anger from the men, and thus a chain reaction was created. Although the location and time of the death was not confirmed, the Governor’s Office was soon besieged by media, and Angela announced she would continue as Governor of Savannah State, ending the Akale Crisis.

## Legacy

Because Akale’s time in office ended abruptly after just one year, manny loose ends were left untied. For example, the Chinese Deal was left unresolved, as was the Contract Payment issue, which eventually ballooned into a political scandal involving multiple state ministries. Simultaneously, despite public and internal approval for Akale himself, corruption and ambition was rampant throughout his administration, which ultimately led to a series of crisis faced by Angela Ochello and her incoming administration. Akale’s name was often used by government officials as both an excuse for incompetence and mismanagement.

Akale had promised to deliver multiple projects during the election, most of which were based on infrastructure goals, improved policing, better opportunities for women and youth, along with a series of many issues. One of his projects that he saw come to fruition was a riverside boardwalk near the Governor's Office. Akale supporrted the Chinese Deal, which was controversial within his party and his cabinet.

## Personality and traits

Akale was a charismatic poltical figure who was appreciated and well regareded by many in Savanah. Although he was not supported by the Primrose Faction, he eventually earned his party’s nomination for Governor, and presumably won in a landslide. It is unclear how aware Akale was of the affairs of his ministries and their ministers. Akale seemed to a caper the fact the Shining Light Group would maintain a string grip on the party, and therefore the state. It’s possible that Akale tried to rush as many useful projects as he could before his presumptive successor could plunder the state for the gains of their allies. When speaking with Henry, he admitted that once Friday Bello becomes Governor, any advancement could be erased, which could explain why he less skeptical of the Chinese deal.

### Mentorship

Akale served a mentor to both Angela Ochello and Henry Duke, although his moderate stance on issues and government competence left many loose ends. Never the less both were inspired to various degrees to continue his legacy after his passing, Out of all his cabinet and administration, it is believed Akale trusted Henry and Angela the most, believing them to be both loyal and competent public servants.

## Behind the scenes

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Peter Akale is a fictional character in the Nigerian political drama *The Governor* (2016-). The series, shot and produced in a traditional Nollywood format, was created by EbonyLIfeTv, which is headed by founder Mo Abudu. He is played by Ayo LIjadu. A politician with experience in state politics, Akale garnered respect among the hotly contested factions in the fictional Savannah State. Akale’s character held the office of Governor of Savannah State for about 1 year of his first 4-year term. After a car accident and subsequent coma, Akale died from trauma sustained from injuries, and possibly a stroke, although neither is confirmed in the show. He serves as a mentor figure to two of the main characters, Angela Ochello and Henry Duke. Peter Akale only appears in the first 3 episodes of the show: “The Offer”, “The Signing”, and the “The Announcement”, (his last appearance is the same episode in which he passes away at Savanna Hospital). However he referenced numerous times throughout the rest of the show.

Akale’s political leanings, like all other characters, is never specified. It is implied that Akale was a member of the moderate Shining Light Group, led by Chief Sobifa Thompson within the show. Throughout the show, his aspirations for government infrastructure and welfare projects are seen through realizations that his administration attempted to fund several state projects. However, the corruption in the state led to incompetence, and Akale would never see most of his projects be fulfilled during his lifetime. In “The Offer”, during an annual press conference at the Governor’s Office, Akale said that flooding had been reduced, and that crime had decreased significantly during his tenure. Akale supported the ‘succession plan’ within the show. The plan called for Akale’s appointed Commissioner of Finance, Friday Bello, to replace him once his term had expired. Akale accepted the agreement, and thought Bello succeeding him as Governor was inevitable. Akale supported the Chinese Deal, which within the show, was an agreement between the People’s Republic of China and Savannah State. Although the details are never specified, it involved iron ore mining in one of the state’s estates. Despite resistance from his Chief of Staff Henry Duke, Akale signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese.

Akale’s character is presumed to be based on African politicians in general, more specifically West African male politicians. In “The Offer”, Angela remarks that Akale was a decent friend “...for a man and an African politician...” Akale’s character acted as mentor, but also as a scapegoat in later episodes.