The age-old saying, “Politics is a dirty game,” has rarely found more vivid expression than in the recent storm swirling around Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State. That expression, steeped in the bitter truth of betrayals, propaganda, emotional manipulation, and character assassination, perfectly captures what the embattled governor is facing in the wake of fresh controversy sparked by a resurfaced video of his own daughter accusing him of complicity in her mother’s death.

The late Mrs. Patience Eno, the state’s former First Lady, was reportedly lost to an illness in September 2024. By all official accounts, her passing was peaceful and in the presence of family. However, a disturbing video, now making the rounds again after initially emerging shortly after her death, paints a different picture, one soaked in grief, suspicion, and political undertones.

In the video, Jane Eddidiong Ufot, who serves as the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Health, Safety, and Environment, emotionally accuses her father of having “sacrificed” her mother and warns of a potential threat to her own life and that of her daughter. It is a deeply personal and painful outburst, one that could easily be dismissed as a trauma-induced breakdown, if not for the fact that its circulation has been strategically timed to coincide with the governor’s second anniversary in office.

Let us not be naïve: this is not just a family squabble aired in public, it is political warfare. Governor Eno has called the re-emergence of the video a calculated move by political enemies to destabilize his government and distract from his administration’s achievements. And he may be right. After all, why else would a video recorded in the raw days of grief suddenly resurface months later, just as the governor is celebrating governance milestones?

This is the classic playbook of dirty politics, weaponize personal tragedy, fracture public trust, and exploit internal vulnerabilities. The tragic part is that it works. When a man is accused by his own blood, public sympathy wanes fast, and political vultures smell blood in the water.

Even more telling is how the rumor mill kicked into high gear immediately after the governor appointed his eldest daughter, Lady Helen Obareki, to fill the role of First Lady and continue her late mother’s humanitarian work. This decision, logical and perhaps therapeutic within the family, was quickly twisted by detractors and gossips into whispers of a “second wife” and “hidden motives”, all without concrete proof.

Let us be blunt: Nigerian politics has never played by clean rules. It is a cutthroat arena where anything, even the death of a loved one, can be turned into a tool of destruction. From the tribal to the religious, from the economic to the deeply personal, no aspect of a politician’s life is off-limits.

Governor Eno’s case is both a personal tragedy and a political nightmare. A grieving father is now forced to explain his innocence not just to his daughter but to an unforgiving political class and an ever-curious public. His plea, “even in politics, families should be off-limits”, might resonate morally, but in the dirty game of politics, morality is a distant second to manipulation.

This saga should serve as a stark warning: those who seek public office in Nigeria must be prepared not only for opposition but for a level of personal vilification that borders on the satanic. The lines between family, governance, and warfare are increasingly blurred.

As Akwa Ibom continues to watch this drama unfold, one can only hope that the truth prevails and that political ambition does not permanently scar a grieving family. Because if the resurgence of Jane’s video is indeed the handiwork of political foes, then we must admit it: politics in Nigeria is not just dirty, it is dangerous.

At this juncture, it is expedient to ask that now that the governor’s daughter has spilled the beans, whether factual or not, “How can such personal attacks be mitigated politically?”

The answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as mitigating personal attacks in politics, especially in a high-stakes environment like Nigeria, requires a multi-pronged approach. While it is impossible to eliminate them entirely (because politics will always have its dark players), political figures can take the following strategic, proactive, and reactive measures to lessen their impact.

First is to tighten the family circle and maintain internal unity. Why the foregoing strategy matters is that when a family member becomes the weapon, it hits harder than any opponent’s jab. Then, it is germane to ask about what should be done. Again, the answer to the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as political figures must ensure strong emotional, psychological, and communication support within the family. Grievances should be addressed privately and early. Therapy, counseling, and even regular family roundtables are not luxuries, they are survival tools.

In a similar vein, there is the need to always control the narrative through strategic communication. Why it matters is that if you do not tell your story, someone else will, and they will twist it.

What to do: Have a proactive media strategy in place, with regular updates about both governance and family milestones. In the face of a smear campaign, respond quickly, calmly, and factually, not emotionally. Use trusted voices, press briefings, and social media to get ahead of the story.

Also in a similar vein is the need for the deployment of reputation management experts, and why it matters is that public perception is everything.

What to do: Every high-profile political figure should have a PR team that monitors public sentiment, tracks damaging trends online, and crafts real-time responses. This isn’t just damage control—it’s political defense.

Again, there is the need to always digitally monitor and archive sensitive content as videos and voice notes can be easily doctored, leaked, or misrepresented. In addressing purifying this aspect of the dirty water in politics, it is expedient to anticipate that anything sensitive, especially family grievances, can go public. Use cybersecurity tools and legal measures to track the sources of leaks and hold perpetrators accountable. Legal threats or suits can deter repeat offenses.

Added to the foregoing viewpoints, there also the need to humanize, but never over-explain. Why it matters is that oversharing can fuel more gossip. Therefore, in responding to attacks, there is the need to show humanity without desperation. A simple message like, “My daughter is grieving. Like any family, we have had our challenges. Please respect our privacy,” goes further than dragging the family drama into a political arena.

Also in a similar vein is the need to build a loyalty-driven Inner circle. Why it also matters is that betrayals rarely come from strangers. Therefore, surround yourself with aides, advisers, and staff who are personally loyal, not just politically convenient. Vet people for loyalty as much as for competence. The most damaging attacks often come from within.

In fact, in swimming out from muddy political water, it is essential to use legal and institutional channels. Why the foregoing matters is that lies repeated without rebuttal become truth in politics. Therefore, it is expedient to file defamation suits where appropriate. Demand retractions. Petition regulatory bodies like the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) or social media platforms to remove malicious content. Even if these do not yield immediate results, they create a paper trail that demonstrates seriousness.

Again, there is the need to appeal to the Public Conscience, tactfully. Why this also matters is that the court of public opinion is where most battles are won. Therefore, carefully appeal to Nigerians’ sense of decency: “Today it’s me, tomorrow, it could be your father, brother, or husband.” This often softens public anger and shifts focus from rumors to reality.

Also, stay focused on governance. Why it matters is that performance silences many critics. So, let your work speak. When citizens see roads, jobs, healthcare, and empowerment, they are less interested in gossip. Political noise is loudest when there is a vacuum in leadership performance.

Also, there is the need to build media relationships before crisis hits. This is because you will need allies in the media. The question again is, “What should be done then?” Cultivate relationships with reputable journalists and media houses. When crisis hits, these allies can help shape public discourse in your favor or, at the very least, give you a fair hearing.

The bottom line is that politics in Nigeria is war without bullets, but just as lethal. The best way to survive personal attacks is to prepare for them before they happen, respond to them with wisdom, and never let them derail your purpose.