Akpoti-Uduaghan Responds To Karimi’s Criticism With Call For Parliamentary Drug Testing

Suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has called for mandatory drug tests for members of the National Assembly following remarks made against her by Kogi West Senator, Sunday Karimi.

Karimi, while speaking to journalists in Lokoja, defended former Governor Yahaya Bello, stating that recent controversies involving Akpoti-Uduaghan in the Senate validated Bello’s past actions against her.

“I can confidently say that the former governor may not have been at fault for the issues Akpoti-Uduaghan previously accused him of in Kogi State before the National Assembly elections,” Karimi said.

The senator further alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan had embarrassed Kogi State and the nation through her recent actions in the Senate, particularly her confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“Other Kogi lawmakers and I played major roles in ensuring that the state was not brought to ridicule, but our intervention was rebuffed,” he added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently suspended from the Senate for six months over alleged misconduct after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Responding to Karimi’s remarks, Akpoti-Uduaghan hit back, calling for regular drug testing for lawmakers.

“NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency) needs to conduct periodic tests on Senators. That singular process will save the parliament from erratic legislative hallucinations,” she said.