Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Senator representing Kogi State Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had enjoyed a robust relationship before now.
The first time I saw Senator Akpabio at a close range was during the wedding of Senator Natasha to Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Uduqghan. Worthy of note was the fact that Akpabio was around for almost two days. He didn’t lodge in any hotel: he stayed in the house of Nastaha, located at Obeiba-Ihima in Okehi local government of Kogi state.
Throughout the programme that lasted for almost three days, Akpabio was around. This affirmed the good relationship between the Natasha family and the Akpabios.
When Natasha won her case at the appeal and was sworn in, she enjoyed speedy recognition in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly. She had access to the floor at will.
Senator Akpabio gave her an unhindered access to the floor whenever she raised her hand. She was lucky to always be in most of the official trips especially foreign ones. In fact, the achievement and activities of Natasha can only be likened to a ranking senator: nothing showed that it was her first time at the Red Chambers.
This made her to shine not only to his constituency but to the nation at large.
Even some of us who are not her supporters do commend the speed at which she’s carrying her activities in the senate, including the main legislative functions and the oversight functions.
The question bothering the minds of interested onlookers now is what could have gone wrong with such robust relationship?
Most of us imagined that the outburst by Senator Natasha on the floor of the Senate over seat arrangement could be diversionary; there appeared to be something more to it than meet the eye.
In fact, there is nothing around Natasha to indicate that she’s in opposition at the Red Chamber before now. At a point, she became a concern to some APC senators because of the relevance she enjoyed from the very Senate President, Akpabio.
Whatever it is however, it must be said that the recent development is not in the best interest of Senator Natasha and the Senatorial District she is representing.
Of course, Senator Akpabio may have his short comings just like Senator Natasha, which is a confirmation of the simple fact that we are not perfect and cannot be. However, if her goal is to make impact in the legislative activities and the District she is representing, she needs to make maximum use of the policy of lobbying and to learn the art of politics inside the senate Chamber.
She should not be carried away by people who are hailing her; those who are acknowledging her boldness. It cannot help her in the journey of her political career. She should understand that campaign is over and what she needs now is wisdom to pick from the low hanging fruits in the Red Chamber for the benefit of her constituency.
As far as the 10th Senate is concerned, Senator Akpabio remains the boss, whether you take it or leave it. And it is difficult for one to win the war against one’s boss. She should avoid such war at all costs unless where she is pushed to the wall.
I pray to God to grant her the wisdom to navigate through this phase.
