Natasha Has Embarrassed Nigeria; You Need Drug Test – Two Kogi Senators Clash

The Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi, has said that the ongoing controversy involving the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in the Senate has vindicated former Governor Yahaya Bello.

Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, Karimi stated that recent events show that Bello could not be blamed for the past disputes between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan before the National Assembly elections.

He was reacting to the face-off between the Kogi Central senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has sparked controversy.

He said, “Former Governor Yahaya Bello must have seen it coming.”

“Other Kogi lawmakers and I played major roles in ensuring that the state was not brought to ridicule, but no amount of reasoning could prevail. Our intervention was rebuffed.”

He added, “All our admonition to her fell on deaf ears. One can therefore come to terms with the fact that former Gov Yahaya Bello saw it coming.

“Sen. Natasha has not only rubbished the perception of the state; from the events happening now in Nigeria, she has also embarrassed the entire country.”

He described the situation in the Senate as an embarrassment to Kogi and Nigeria, blaming Akpoti-Uduaghan for disregarding advice from colleagues.

He lamented that, despite sincere appeals and advice, which he said fell on deaf ears, it was unfortunate that the needless embarrassment could still be brought to the state and the nation at large.

The National Assembly has been embroiled in a controversy following allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was later suspended for refusing to adhere to Senate rules.

Natasha fires back

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has responded sharply to criticism from her colleague, Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), by calling on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to carry out periodic drug tests on members of the National Assembly.

In a swift reaction on Sunday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan issued a statement urging the NDLEA to intervene by instituting regular drug screenings for legislators to curb what she termed irrational behaviour in the Senate.

“NDLEA needs to conduct periodic tests on senators. That singular process will save the parliament from erratic legislative hallucinations,” she stated.

While the proposal has sparked fresh debate, the concept of drug integrity testing among public officials is not new. NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd), has previously advocated drug tests as a prerequisite for political aspirants. Similarly, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) implemented drug screening for chairmanship and councillorship candidates in the state.

Source:- Punchng