By Tonye Clinton Jaja
Rumour has it that this whole saga between Senator Natasha and the Senate President about seating arrangements at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is just a smoke screen, a tip of the iceberg.
“For once gossip may be right” as old King Priam said in the movie “Troy”
It appears that beneath the surface, “behind the clouds”, the main issue has to do with the affairs and matters arising from “the other room”!!! Or as PMB would pronounce it: “the Oza room”!!!
Is it just me or does anyone notice that all this Pandora’s box is supposed to be opened during the month of March 2025?
Senator Natasha is supposed to be “arraigned” before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions during the month of March.
She is being charged with disorderly conduct, shouting and not obeying the directives of the Senate President during one of the plenary sessions of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In addition to these charges, there is also the charge of “pancaking her face and wearing transparent outfits” to attend the plenary sessions of the Senate (although I don’t know whether the Senate Committee will handle this as two different charges namely: pancaking her face as one charge and wearing transparent outfits as another charge).
On her part, Senator Natasha alleges that the Senate President has committed a more egregious OFFENSE, which she promised to reveal during her appearance before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Senator Natasha has appealed that arrangements should be made for live broadcast and streaming of her session before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
All this drama is planned for the month of March 2025, which reminds us of the Ides of March!!!
“The Ides of March is a day in the ancient Roman calendar that corresponds to March 15 on the Gregorian calendar. It is associated with misfortune and doom.
Significance
The Ides of March is best known as the day in 44 BCE when Julius Caesar was assassinated.
The phrase “beware the Ides of March” appears in William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. In the play, a soothsayer warns Caesar of the impending assassination.
The Ides of March is a turning point in Roman history.
Etymology
The word “Ides” comes from the Latin word iduare, which means “to divide”.
In the ancient Roman calendar, the Ides fell on the day of the full moon, which marked the middle of the month of March”.
It is true that there is no law that prohibits the Senate President (or any other Senator for that matter) from asking out a female colleague or making sexual advances (provided they are above the age of 18 and give their consent), it is perfectly legal, however, is it “appropriate”, is it ethical?
This is the question that the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions may be required to answer.
Oftentimes, it is not the legality of a matter that makes the headlines because as we know: “the law is an ass” and can be swayed in any direction by those that hold its puppet strings.
It is the morality, and ethical aspects that may linger in the minds of the Nigerian public.
This whole matter is starting to resemble the ghost of the Monica Lewinsky Saga.
“Bill Clinton admitted in a taped grand jury testimony on August 17, 1998, that he had engaged in an “improper physical relationship” with Lewinsky. That evening he gave a nationally televised statement admitting that his relationship with Lewinsky was “not appropriate”.
Coincidentally, both Monica Lewinsky and Senator Natasha have Eastern European blood flowing through their veins, what is it about these Eastern European women and bringing down the reputation of high and mighty men?!!!!
Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS).
