Natasha and her theatrics, by Kola Amzat
May be, the senate chamber is too big, a political arena for Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to operate! May be, that highly respected hallow chamber is too overwhelming for her to ply her political trade! May be, if she indeed desire to be involved in governance of this country, she ought to have considered starting from lower chamber, and even, Kogi state house of assembly where she would have been exposed to dynamics, tutelage and rudiments of politics, and more importantly, proper conduct in legislative chamber!
Of course, she has not done all these! Senate Chamber is her first point of call, as far as holding political office is concerned. This seems absurd and very abnormal!
Natasha saga that has played out dominantly in the senate in the last weeks is a testament that, the woman doesn’t have the temperate, diplomacy, clout, political skills, political maturity and McCoy to operate at that lofty pedestal.
The 1999 Constitution, as amended is also CULPABLE in this instance.
National Assembly should therefore utilize this wonderful opportunity of Natasha saga, deliberately meant to distract the chamber from her primary responsibility to start considering making amendment that henceforth, bar aspirants for office of senate unless they have been involved either at the lower chamber or state house of assembly, at least for two terms.
With this move, this type of shenanigans would surely be consigned to dustbin of history.
That chamber is meant for big boys. It’s a chamber for the politicians who have seen it all! It’s a chamber for Nigeria best eleven, just like it obtained in other democratic countries around the world. It’s not for neophyte. It’s not for political rookie. It’s also not for political celebrity.
It’s meant for top class Nigerians who are prepared to advance the cause of the country politically, economically, positively and constructively, contribute to institute infrastructure architectural masterpiece across the country, to launch the nation into the midst of developed and advanced, and already prosperous nations.
Obviously, Natasha has a different Agenda going to senate. It’s obvious she doesn’t belong to that class of political titans who deserved to be at that higher and lofty pedestal, taking crucial and key decisions for our dear country.
It’s not by wealth, beauty or influence; it’s by capacity, discerning mind, patriotism, zeal to serve our dear country, collaboration with other political titans and juggernauts across the country who are privileged to be in that chamber, and more importantly and instructively, absolute respect and loyalty to leadership of the chamber and the rules & others.
For crying out aloud, Nigeria is not a banana republic where anything goes. It’s not by emotions. It’s not by gender. It’s not by sentiment. It’s simply by abiding with the rules and procedures!
Quite a number of Nigerians, including those who supposed to know, like the former first lady of Ekiti state, as well as her husband, the former governor, the Obi Ezekwesili, and many of those who were hired and paid to carry play cards against the Senate President and senate itself, ought to have been conscious of the fact that, senate is not meant for frivolities, pedestrians and trivial issues as Natasha very futile attempt desire to make it look like.
For the avoidance of doubt and for emphasis, senate totally collaborate with the president to run and drive the affairs of this prodigiously blessed country.
Indeed, this writer expects a purposeful, patriotic and focus president who desires to succeed to always have by his side senate president, even, wining and dining with him all the times. That’s what our dear president has been doing. What are we talking about here? The growth and development of our dear country!
It’s the same senate president, number three man and chairman of the entire national assembly, the second arm of government that Natasha designed very manipulative means to bring down, if not for the support of other distinguished senators who halted her!
Without holding forth for the senate president as far as the reported sexual harassment allegation is concerned, the point remains that, this not an item/discussion/issue meant for plenary sessions.
This is a very personal issue absolutely meant for location outside the chamber.
On a lighter note, may be, Natasha is oblivious of hundreds of damsels and ravishingly beautiful young ladies across the nation and even, the world over, at the BECKON of senate president. If she’s conscious of this, I’m convinced she would have refrained from DISTRACTING the entire nation with irrelevancies.
Godswill Akpabio, who she labored vigorously to bring down has paid his dues in the nation political sphere. I’m intensely convinced that the appreciative and discerning Nigerians would not allow this indiscretion to happen.
During his time as governor of Akwa Ibom state, no other governor came close. He was clearly the best governor across the country. He constructed several bridges for the state. He constructed networks of fantastic roads throughout the length & breadth of the state. He built contemporary medical facilities. Akpabio International Stadium is where Super Eagles have been playing their home matches in the last 6 or 7 years. Not in Lagos; not even in Abuja, seat of federal government.
More importantly, Akpabio empowered the people of the state, so much that he completely implant and install a new spirit of serving themselves, as against relocating to Lagos, Abuja and other cities to serve masters of other tribes, an enterprise they’re hitherto noted.
Godswill Akpabio was a dominant Minister of Niger Delta, Minister of Labour and, even, a distinguished Senator of the federal republic, even, before this 10th Senate.
Nigerians would vividly recall that, Akpabio was in the last race, slugging it out with President Bola Tinubu, then a fellow aspirant for the presidential ticket of APC in Year 2022, before he finally withdrew.
He is the same illustrious personality Natasha who just emerged from blue, was making spirited and wicked efforts to bring down. The appreciative nation would never allow our heroes and heroines to be diminished and rubbished on the altar of irrelevant sexual harassment.
Even though, as a Yoruba man, who has never met the Senate President nor profit from his wealth acquired consequent upon decades of stewardship to the nation, this writer is prepared to lead people carrying play-cards to lend maximum support for Godswill Akpabio.
Finally, I implore President Tinubu to halt the move of Women Affairs Minister to mediate between the senate and Natasha. On what basis? The Minister has no business whatsoever in this matter. Madam Minister should concentrate on her assignment of advancing the cause of Nigeria women, which I think is overwhelming enough, rather than delving into matter absolutely beyond her capacity and jurisdiction.
The matter is strictly and entirely senate affairs. It’s even instructive that Natasha has not shown modicum of remorse since the senate passed verdict on her. She has continue to make very offensive declaration and throwing venoms at her colleagues and senate leadership.
It’s germane to allow the matter to rest as it is. Let the young woman serves the term of punishment of 6 months, as well as abide by all other punitive measures handed onto her. If after the 6 months the senate found her worthy of the chamber, let them pardon her to resume.
This writer even advocates that, the length of punishment should be extended if she’s still maintaining this rebellious and cancerous posture.
Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)
Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,
09077509348.
