Like a soap opera that rivets attention, the Akpabio/Natasha saga is not about to fade out of public view. Not anytime soon. Each episode seems to bring more interesting, startling revelations that will make Nigeria’s greasy pole, graft-filled politics a fun to follow. It has become crystal clear now after Sen. Natasha was slammed with a six-month suspension, that stripped her of her salary, entitlements and other appurtenances of her position in the Nigerian Senate, that democracy needs someone on the inside to make it work – someone who will play the game for the sake of getting things done.
In the last one month alone, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has woken us up to what it means, what it feels like, to fight, not only for herself, but for all women, and indeed, for men, who feel oppressed, but are not courageous enough to speak up for what is right, and against what is wrong in our politics. No wonder, someone recently described Sen.Natasha as the “only man left in PDP”. That’s a metaphor, a compliment, a tribute reserved for a select few.
To paraphrase Elizabeth 1, who in her 1588 speech said, “I know I have the body of a weak and feel woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too”. Simply put, Sen Natasha has pulled off what many men are afraid to do. But that’s just a fraction of the traits that could make her Nigeria’s most outstanding senator in the present dispensation. No woman who has been at the receiving end of ‘strongmen’ of Nigerian politics has been able to do what she has done, just in few months, and still remains standing, unfazed.
Her numerous virtues include self-confidence, a go-getter, defiance and dauntless, fearless, gallant in the face of difficulties or danger. She’s unafraid to stand up for what she believes in, genuinely proud, high-spirited, resolute, incredibly insightful, a risk-taker. Not only that she has charisma, she also combines beauty and brain. Indeed, she’s a role model for young women who are still searching for a philosophy of life to guide them. It’s, therefore, fair to say that she has become a playbook for standing up for what is right, and defiantly opposed to what is wrong in our politics and every day life. Her smiles are disarming. It’s the innermost heart of a woman who knows when to fight, and when to beat a retreat. That’s why she is prevailing over the strongmen in the Senate. Her present fight is not just a choice between principle and survival, it’s about good governance and justice. So, all misogynists in our politics, beware, don’t mess around with Sen. Natasha. For she is as strong as nails.
In a society where conviction no longer matters, Sen. Natasha has become a case study of how to pursue a legitimate cause and win. You know why? This is her untold secret: Always be ahead of your enemies. If your enemies are waiting for you on the road, fly over their heads. Nothing demonstrates this more than the grand return to her village, Ihima in Kogi state last Tuesday. Remember, prior to her visit, the state government had banned all convoys in and out of Kogi state, barricaded all roads to her home town, prohibited all fishing and water activities, and erected all manner of checkpoints to stop her.
But she defied all of that, flew over them, using a helicopter for a triumphant entry amid enthusiastic crowds waiting to welcome her. What a shame to her enemies. Delivering back-to-back speeches, with a warm, celebratory mammoth crowd hailing her every sentence, she said, “I broke no law, it’s just me, your Senator, coming home to celebrate Salah with you… no one can stop me from returning home”. If you don’t know, this woman has a history of defeating her male opponents.
For instance, in 2023, unbothered by insults thrown at her by former Governor Yahya Bello who dug holes all over her constituency on election day. It was to prevent her supporters from casting their ballots. She was undaunted. She was true to herself. In the end, she triumphed. Interestingly, even now, her political opponents have not found her secret for success. It is her bravery to overcome obstacles, no matter how formidable. It’s instructive that the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) realised, belatedly though why Sen. Natasha is always winning.
INEC in a statement last week, said the petition for her recall failed to meet the provision of Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution(as amended). The requirement for a recall must get the signature of at least 50 percent plus one person of all the registered voters in that constituency. However, the petition for her recall submitted to the Chairman of INEC Prof Mahmood Yakubu, expressing loss of confidence in her, was signed by 43.86 percent, 29,146 short of the threshold.
According to Secretary to INEC, Mrs Rose Oriaran, nothing else can be done by the petitioners. Matters closed? Perhaps yes. However, the initial foot- dragging by INEC on the matter sparked tension, prompting Sen. Natasha to alleged, without evidence, that the electoral body might be doing the bidding of the petitioners. First, INEC had faulted the petitioners for providing vague addresses, by simply listing ‘Okene, Kogi state’, which does not meet the provision of the constitution and the regulations of the commission. Ordinarily, at that point, that would have ended the recall process.
But, less than 24 hours, INEC seemed to have reversed itself. It claimed that the signatures of the petitioners seeking her recall have been “gathered”, and all parties “duly informed of the next step”. INEC should be commended for correcting its earlier mistakes. Bear in mind that Akpabio/Natasha saga is still unfolding , both in court and behind the veils of the senate. There are reports of fresh intrigues that anti-Natasha forces have allegedly “manufactured 100,000 signatures” for her recall, despite INEC strong statement that her recall was. For now, it’s safe to say that Sen. Natasha represents our rallying cry against the actions and agenda of bad governance in Nigeria and the pursuit of justice for all.