For Akpabio, a word should be enough for the wise

In my own estimation, Godswill Obot Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, should be the luckiest politician ever from Akwa Ibom State. An average lawyer before politics beckoned, he has since gone ahead to serve as a commissioner, governor, minister, and now the No. 3 citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Weeks back, he got into what has now become a “Roforofo” fight with Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a fellow lawyer and colleague who combines beauty with boldness. Truth be told, no one can say categorically who among them is saying “the truth and nothing but the whole truth”, like they swear in the court. For the record, however, the Senate suspended Natasha over what the Ethics Committee blamed on her unruly behaviour. Natasha, on the other hand, changed the equation when she accused Akpabio instead of sexual harassment. A number of actions have been filed in different courts by both parties, and until the courts decide, I want to quietly move to my next paragraph.

Now, while the courts are still busy scrutinizing the documents filed by the plaintiff and defendant, coupled with the drama adorning both sensational and salacious togas at the moment, Natasha’s sudden recall attempt by some members of her constituency began. Expectedly, she accused Akpabio, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State and his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, of being behind that.

To prove that the three men combined cannot easily have her recalled, she defied unfavorable security reports by the Kogi State Government, Kogi State Police Command and even her Local Government chairman to visit her constituency – Kogi Central – in a grand style, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The colourful and controversial politico arrived in a helicopter to a tumultuous welcome; obviously proving to the doubting Thomases that her people indeed love her and are also solidly behind her. Oops! I almost forgot to say that midway into the battle, she had shocked Nigeria and Nigerians by internationalizing the drama – when she took it to the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), in New York, United States of America, still alleging sexual harassment and intimidation.

Now, my point. Akpabio should remember that popular saying about a word being enough for the wise. Yes, the time for him to play the wise man is now otherwise this may become his own banana peel as a Senate President.

Remember Evan(s) Enwerem. Remember Chuba Okadigbo… One way or the other, they all left the position unintentionally and unceremoniously after stepping on different kinds of banana peel.

Akpabio should be wise and behave like Anyim Pius Anyim, Ken Nnamani, David Mark and even Bukola Saraki who served out their terms without leaving in ignominy.

Swallow your pride, Sir. Reach out to Natasha, at least, as the father of the tenth Senate. Make peace with her and let us move forward.

Finally, please know that most of the people pushing and urging you to “teach that little girl a big lesson”, including your fellow senators, will abandon you and vamoose immediately you lose your position. Some will even remind you that instead of presiding over making laws, you chose to be making negative headlines.

A word, like I said in the beginning, is enough for the wise. Also, the Igbos, where your wife, Unoma, happens to come from, have a popular saying that when you ignore the small pot, it wreaks havoc by quenching the fire. Natasha, whether as a small or a big pot now, may unfortunately become your “ene nie nwa ite, nwa ite agbo nyuo oku.”

Shalom!

– Azuh Arinze is publisher/ editor-in-chief of YES INTERNATIONAL!