In Nigeria, two senators had a big argument about a recent suspension in the Senate. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator representing Kogi Central, was suspended after a disagreement with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Another senator, Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West, said the suspension was fair and necessary.
Karimi, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behaviour in the Senate was embarrassing and made Kogi State look bad. He even suggested that the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, had warned about her unsuitability for the Senate.
“All our advice to her fell on deaf ears,” Karimi told journalists. “Senator Natasha has not only embarrassed the state, but people all over Nigeria now see Kogi in a bad light.”
He also said he tried to settle things before the situation got worse, but Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to listen. This, according to him, led to her clash with the Senate President and her eventual suspension.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Fights Back
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected Karimi’s claims and made a bold suggestion. She called for drug tests for all senators, saying this would help prevent poor decision-making in the Senate.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) needs to conduct periodic drug tests on senators,” she said through her media aide, Israel Arogbonlo. “This will help stop erratic behaviour and improve the Senate’s work.”
She explained that drug tests for politicians were not new, mentioning that NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa had previously supported this idea for political aspirants. She also pointed out that Kano State already conducts drug tests for candidates running for local government positions.
“If senators are tested, it will help keep the Senate’s decisions fair and in the best interest of Nigerians,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has stirred political tension in Kogi State and across Nigeria. While some people support her suspension, others believe it is unfair. The argument between the two senators shows that political disagreements in Nigeria can be intense and dramatic.
