“Mr Speaker, my name is…”
A video of Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru introducing herself during legislative proceedings without using her partner 2Baba’s surname has renewed speculation about their relationship.
The nameplate before her also bore the Osawaru surname without “Idibia”.
Her use of Osawaru does not, by itself, establish any change in the couple’s relationship. However, it attracted attention weeks after she was absent from 2Baba’s 51st birthday celebration and album listening party in Lagos.
During the proceedings, Natasha supported a bill seeking to strengthen the state’s response to emergencies, describing the proposed legislation as timely.
She cited Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Mr Speaker, my name is Honourable Natasha Irobosa Osawaru, member representing the very great people of Egor Constituency and, by God’s grace, the minority leader of this House,” she said.
“Mr Speaker, I rise this morning to support the second reading of this bill because it is timely.
“The majority leader highlighted that Section 14, subsection 2(b), of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, clearly states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
The lawmaker raised concerns about Edo State’s exposure to flooding, erosion, fire outbreaks, building collapses and communal crises, describing them as growing threats requiring a coordinated response.
“Every rainy season, our people from Auchi, Ekpoma, Benin City and other parts of the state suffer from flooding, erosion, fire outbreaks, building collapse and communal crises,” Natasha said.
“Mr Speaker, as we speak, we have no strong, legally backed state agency that can respond proactively. Hence, this bill is timely.”
The video also attracted comments about Natasha’s appearance. The lawmaker wore a coloured outfit, departing from the black abayas and tunics that have become a recognisable feature of her recent public appearances.
It appeared to be one of the few recent occasions on which she had been seen publicly in a non-black outfit.
Some social-media users also remarked that she appeared fuller in the video.
The change in her usual style, alongside her fuller appearance, added to the reactions generated by the video.
The video and photographs posted by the lawmaker renewed public interest in her relationship with music veteran Innocent “2Baba” Idibia.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the relationship came under intense scrutiny in August after Natasha made an unexpected appearance at an Abuja nightclub where 2Baba was scheduled to perform.
A video circulated online appeared to show the couple during a heated exchange. However, the footage did not capture what happened before the encounter or establish what triggered the disagreement.
An eyewitness claimed that Natasha arrived at the venue with a group of men and attempted to speak with the singer.
According to the witness, she approached 2Baba’s vehicle shortly after he arrived and requested a conversation with him, leading to a commotion outside the nightclub.
Other eyewitnesses claimed that Natasha had been unable to reach the singer before appearing at the venue. Neither Natasha nor 2Baba publicly provided a detailed account of the incident.
Speculation about a possible rift intensified after Natasha was not seen at 2Baba’s 51st birthday party in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The celebration also served as a listening party for the singer’s forthcoming album, Oldest Young Man.
It was attended by 2Baba’s children, his mother, Rose Idibia, and several entertainment personalities, including Kenny Ogungbe, Dayo “D1” Adeneye, Wande Coal, African China, Ayo Makun, Faze and Tony Tetuila.
The mothers of the singer’s children Annie Macaulay, Sunmbo Adeoye and Pero Adeniyi were also not seen at the event.
Natasha’s absence added to questions about the state of her relationship with the singer. However, as of press time, neither she nor 2Baba had publicly confirmed a separation or explained why she missed the celebration.
