Anyone Who Goes To Equity Must Come With Clean Hands: The Neda Imasuen’s Involvement In Natasha’s Suspension -By Isaac Asabor

In the intricate corridors of Nigerian politics, where power tussles and political vendettas often dictate the direction of discourse, the name Neda Imasuen has recently taken center stage. Ever since he presided over the committee that suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the embers of controversy have continued to smolder around him, with social and conventional media awash with unpalatable news about his own moral standing. This development serves as a timely reminder that those who seek to sit in judgment over others must themselves be beyond reproach. The legal maxim, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, has never been more relevant.

Senator Neda Imasuen, who chaired the Senate Ethics Committee that suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, is now facing scrutiny over an alleged crime in the U.S. that has resurfaced in the media. The controversy has gained traction across both social and conventional news platforms. Additionally, youths within the Labour Party, to which he is affiliated, are calling him out, intensifying the pressure on his political career.

Without a doubt, the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal and fearless advocate for her people, did not go unnoticed. It sent shockwaves through the political landscape, sparking debates about due process, fairness, and the role of legislative panels in a democracy. To many observers, the move to suspend her was not just a routine disciplinary measure but a calculated attempt to silence a formidable political figure.

Natasha, known for her boldness and unwavering stance on social justice, has consistently been a thorn in the flesh of certain power blocs. Her suspension was, therefore, viewed in some quarters as politically motivated, a desperate measure to clip her wings. The irony, however, is that the man who led the committee that wielded the hammer against Natasha is now himself entangled in a web of allegations that question his moral and ethical standing.

Since Natasha’s suspension, unpalatable news about Neda Imasuen has surfaced, leading to questions about his credibility and whether he had the moral authority to preside over disciplinary matters. Politics is a brutal game, and as history has shown, those who throw stones must ensure they are not living in glass houses.

The allegations against Imasuen range from financial misdeeds to questionable political maneuvers. While he has not been formally convicted of any wrongdoing, the sheer volume of accusations and the timing of their emergence raise critical concerns. Were these allegations deliberately unearthed in response to Natasha’s suspension, or have they always been lurking beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to explode? Whatever the case, the situation underscores the fundamental principle that public officeholders must maintain the highest ethical standards.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing, it is expedient to opine in this context that the doctrine that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands is not just a legal principle but a moral one that should guide leadership and governance. Those who assume positions of authority must be beyond reproach, ensuring that their actions can withstand the scrutiny of both the law and public opinion.

Nigerian politics, unfortunately, is replete with cases of individuals who wield power against perceived enemies while conveniently ignoring their own skeletons. Imasuen’s current predicament is a textbook example of how those who rush to cast judgment on others often end up facing a reckoning themselves. If he had acted with absolute fairness and transparency in Natasha’s case, perhaps the backlash against him would not have been so intense. But in a system where the use of power is often selective, and where political witch-hunts masquerade as disciplinary actions, it is not surprising that his alleged misdeeds are now the subject of public scrutiny.

The events surrounding Imasuen and Natasha are symptomatic of a deeper crisis within Nigeria’s political and legislative processes. When legislative bodies prioritize political vendettas over due process, democracy suffers. The selective application of justice creates an environment where accountability is no longer about right or wrong but about who has more political leverage at any given time.

For democracy to thrive, Nigeria must move away from a system where politicians use their positions to settle scores. The integrity of governance institutions depends on their ability to enforce rules fairly, irrespective of personal or political affiliations. Otherwise, such institutions lose their credibility, and public trust in the democratic process erodes further.

The unfolding drama surrounding Neda Imasuen offers valuable lessons for politicians and public officeholders. First, those who seek to discipline or criticize others must themselves be upright. Integrity is not an optional trait for leaders; it is a fundamental requirement. Any leader who assumes the role of a moral guardian while having skeletons in their own closet risks being exposed in due time.

Second, the Nigerian public is becoming more conscious and discerning. Gone are the days when allegations of corruption or misconduct could be swept under the rug without consequences. With the rise of social media and increased citizen participation in governance, politicians can no longer operate with impunity. Every action is scrutinized, and any hint of hypocrisy is met with swift condemnation.

Lastly, there is an urgent need for institutional reforms that ensure fairness in disciplinary proceedings within political and legislative spaces. The perception that suspensions and punitive measures are often tools of political victimization rather than genuine disciplinary actions must be addressed. Unless there is transparency and objectivity in such matters, they will continue to backfire, as seen in Imasuen’s case.

With the storm gathering around him, Neda Imasuen faces a defining moment in his political career. Will he be able to clear his name and restore his credibility, or will he succumb to the weight of the allegations? His next steps will be crucial in determining his future in Nigerian politics. If he hopes to redeem himself, he must first acknowledge the concerns raised against him and provide convincing responses. More importantly, he must learn from this episode that wielding power arbitrarily comes with consequences.

In the grand scheme of things, the Nigerian political space needs a recalibration, one that prioritizes integrity over power plays and fairness over vendettas. Until this happens, the cycle of political witch-hunts, selective justice, and retaliatory scandals will continue.

Nigeria needs leaders who uphold justice, fairness, and transparency. The use of power must be guided by principles that foster national development and unity, not personal vendettas and political retribution. Imasuen’s case serves as a stark reminder that public figures must be cautious when wielding authority. Those who take up the mantle of judgment must first ensure their own hands are clean, lest they fall victim to the same scrutiny they impose on others.

As the dust settles on this controversy, one undeniable truth stands tall: those who seek to judge others must themselves be above board. Neda Imasuen, like every other political figure, must understand that in the court of public opinion, as in the court of law, justice is best served when those who dispense it have no stains on their own hands. Anything less is hypocrisy.