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On Sunday, Kogi West Senator Sunday Karimi and suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, got into a furious argument about her Senate suspension.
All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker Karimi praised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, saying it was necessary and justifiable because of the issue surrounding her Senate conduct. He said that Kogi State was ashamed of the embarrassing incident that resulted in her suspension.
Karimi told reporters that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions confirmed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s reservations about her fit for the Red Chamber.
“All our advice to her fell on deaf ears. One can therefore not come to terms with the fact that Yahaya Bello saw this coming,” Karimi said.
“Senator Natasha has not only rubbished the state, but from the events happening now and what is on the ground all over the federation, Kogi is in a real mess in terms of perception.”
He added that her suspension resulted from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disregard for his attempts to resolve the conflict before it reached a clash with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In response to Karimi’s comments, Akpoti-Uduaghan denied his allegations and demanded that senators be subject to routine drug tests. She said that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) testing will assist stop the Senate from making foolish decisions.
“NDLEA needs to conduct periodic tests on senators. That singular process will save the parliament from erratic legislative hallucinations,” she stated through her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo.
Citing NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa’s prior support for drug integrity exams for political candidates, she contended that the idea was not new. She also mentioned a comparable program run by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, which tested candidates for councillor and chairmanships for drugs.
“By extending this practice to senators, the NDLEA can help maintain the integrity of the legislative process and prevent decisions made under the influence of substances. This move could lead to more effective governance and better representation for Nigerians,” she added.
Political tensions in Kogi State and beyond have been heightened by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension after an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
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