By Admin
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi-PDP) has fired back at her colleague from Kogi West Senator Sunday Karimi, calling for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct periodic drug tests on senators.
This comes after Karimi criticised Natasha’s behaviour, describing recent events in the Senate as a “total mess and an embarrassment”.
Recall Senator Sunday Karimi ( APC-Kogi West) had called out Senator Natasha following the face-off between the latter and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Karimi had described the recent happenings in the Senate as “total mess and an embarrassment brought to the entire state”.
He lamented that, in spite of sincere appeals and advice, which he said fell on deaf ears, it was unfortunate that the needless embarassment could still be brought to the state and the nation at large.
“All our admonition to her fell on deaf ears. One can therefore come to terms with the fact that former Governor Yahaya Bello saw it coming.
“Senator 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 claimed.
Reacting, Senator Natasha in a statement on Sunday, said NDLEA needs to conduct periodic tests on senators to avoid erratic legislative hallucinations.
“NDLEA needs to conduct periodic tests on senators. That singular process will save the parliament from erratic legislative hallucinations,” she opined.
The idea is not entirely new, as NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa has already advocated for drug integrity tests as a screening requirement for political aspirants. In fact, the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has taken a similar approach, conducting drug tests on chairmanship and councillorship candidates.
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.
Similarly, Kogi West indigenes on Sunday redponded by blasting Natasha over response to Karimi’s comments.
Their reaction came through a statement signed by the Chairman, Kogi West Patriotic Assembly, Ayodele Joshua, and Secretary, Kareem Adigun.
According to them, the unstable and embarrassing conduct of the suspended Sen. Natasha, who representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, had shown that her call for periodic drug tests for senators was apt.
The indigenes said the embattled senator’s advice was in order, considering the fact that her conduct since she refused to obey a simple sitting arrangement rule at the Senate, had truly called for a drug test to ascertain if she was free from the influence of substance.
“Our attention has been drawn to a rejoinder by the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to Senator Sunday Karimi’s comments on her conduct at the National Assembly, which recommended drug tests for serving senators.
“The embattled senator’s advice is in order, considering the fact that her conduct since she refused to obey a simple sitting arrangement rule at the Senate, has truly called for a drug test to ascertain if she is free from the influence of substance.
“Or how else can one explain the ridiculous things she has been saying from one media house to the other, both in Nigeria and abroad, to authenticate her spurious allegations against the Senate President? We need to be sure that she is the one saying those things and not someone under the influence of some substance.
“We identify with our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers from Kogi Central at this trying period. The disgrace a so-called daughter of the land has brought is not to them alone but to the entire State.
“If a woman of her age can be going from one international platform to the other, shouting sexual harassment against the Number 3 citizen of a country as populous and influential as Nigeria, with no iota of proof, then Nigerians need to really accept the fact that drug tests must be carried out on every aspiring Senator so that we would always avoid swearing in the wrong characters.
“Even Nigerian women are unanimous in their position that they must be wary of those they elect into sensitive positions and by virtue of this, become role models for their children. Forget about those who would never see anything good in their country.
“Previous actions and false accusations by this same suspended Senator against other personalities have shown that she is not fit to hold such position. The recall process should be followed through so she can at least learn and also represent her people better next time.”
“Senator Karimi should not join words with the suspended Senator. We will respond appropriately on his behalf. With her unfounded allegations, resort to cheap propaganda in the media against dissenting voices.
“It’s clear that she should be the first person to take her proposed drug test,” the Kogi West indigenes declared. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
