Natasha’s Ordeal Buttresses The Fact That Politics Is A Dirty Game

ISAAC ASABOR

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent ordeal has once again confirmed a bitter truth: Nigerian politics is a dirty game in which fairness and justice are mere illusions. The alleged plot to recall her from the Senate demonstrates that power in Nigeria is about manipulation, vendetta, and ruthless ambition rather than service to the people.

Her ordeal is a prime example of political treachery. This comes as the Action Collective’s revelations about an alleged plan to compile fictitious names to engineer Senator Natasha’s recall from the Senate highlight the lengths politicians will go to silence opponents. If true, this is more than just an attack on her political career; it demonstrates how Nigeria’s political system operates like a battlefield, with enemies eliminated by any means necessary.

Senator Natasha’s troubles did not begin today. She is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate due to allegations of misconduct. Before that, she had publicly accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and deliberately impeding her legislative efforts. That act alone was enough to place her on the list of those who must face political humiliation. With the alleged recall attempt, it is clear that her opponents are determined to ensure she never regains political power.

Given the shenanigans that have occurred since her suspension from the Senate, one might be tempted to question whether the recall process is a tool for political witch-hunting. The reason for the preceding question is not farfetched, as recalls are typically a legitimate tool for voters to remove a non-performing lawmaker. However, in Nigeria, it has become yet another dirty political weapon for settling scores. If these allegations are true, Senator Natasha’s situation is nothing more than a calculated witch-hunt to keep her out of politics.

The claim that a former governor of Kogi State and compromised Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials were recruited to facilitate this fraudulent process paints a bleak picture of the system’s deep corruption. What hope is there for democracy when INEC officials, who should be impartial arbiters, are allegedly paid to support a fraudulent recall process?

Without a doubt, Nigerian politics is riddled with betrayal and conspiracy.

Senator Natasha’s situation is far from unique in Nigerian politics. Over the years, numerous politicians who refused to submit to the system have been politically assassinated, either through impeachment, suspension, false accusations, or outright violence.

The truth is that Nigerian politics is not for those who value fairness or principles; it is for those who can outmanoeuvre their opponents in a ruthless game of survival.

Politics in this part of the world does not revolve around service or patriotism. It is all about who has the most connections, the biggest war chest, and the willingness to get dirty. The rules are straightforward: crush your opponents before they crush you. Those who attempt to play clean or speak truth to power, such as Senator Natasha, are quickly reminded that honesty is a liability in this game.

In fact, Senator Natasha’s troubles highlight the dangers of being a daring and outspoken politician in Nigeria. As a woman, she already bears the burden of gender discrimination in a male-dominated field. Her courage in confronting powerful figures has made her a marked woman, and she is now paying the price for daring to challenge the status quo.

Her experience serves as a lesson to any politician who believes that merit, hard work, and popular support are sufficient for survival in Nigerian politics. The reality is that survival depends on cooperating with the power brokers who run the system. Those who refuse to play by the rules are victims of political warfare.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, there has been no widespread public outcry. This is because political impunity has become so widespread in Nigeria that people no longer respond to injustice. The silence of civil society, the media, and even the opposition demonstrates how deeply entrenched this corrupt system has become.
However, this should not be ignored.

INEC’s credibility is at stake. If the electoral body allows itself to be used in this alleged fraudulent recall, it will only reinforce what many Nigerians already believe: elections and democratic processes in the country are mere formalities manipulated by those in power.

Given the foregoing, it is reasonable to conclude that politics in Nigeria is a risky endeavour. Senator Natasha’s ordeal serves as further proof that Nigerian politics is not a game for those who value fairness. It is a high-stakes gamble with ruthless players. It is a system in which those who dare to challenge the status quo face humiliation or elimination.

Natasha’s experience serves as a cautionary tale for many young Nigerians who aspire to be politicians. Politics here is not about competence or good intentions; it is about how well one can navigate the perilous waters of deception, betrayal, and power struggles.

If the allegations surrounding this recall attempt are accurate, Nigerian democracy is on life support. When elections, suspensions, and recalls are used by the powerful to destroy their opponents, the essence of democracy is lost.

Senator Natasha’s fight is for all Nigerians who still believe in justice. If she is removed from the Senate due to this alleged fraudulent recall, it will send a message to all other independent politicians in Nigeria that standing up for the truth is a crime. In the end, one thing is certain: politics in Nigeria is a dirty game in which only the dirtiest players survive.