According to a report by Punch, Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, has indicated that the ongoing disagreement with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi Central supports the stance of former Governor Yahaya Bello.
At a press conference held in Lokoja on Sunday, Karimi expressed the view that recent developments suggest Bello should not bear responsibility for the previous conflicts with Akpoti-Uduaghan that arose during the National Assembly elections.
Karimi’s comments were offered in response to the recent public exchange between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which has sparked significant discussion. Karimi observed, “It seems that former Governor Yahaya Bello may have anticipated this situation.”
He elaborated that, notwithstanding the diligent efforts of Kogi lawmakers, including his own, to shield the state from potential embarrassment, their endeavors ultimately proved to be in vain. “We contributed meaningfully to safeguarding the state’s reputation, yet despite our efforts, the circumstances remained unchanged.”
Karimi remarked that our intervention was not acknowledged. He observed that their efforts to provide guidance and express concerns to Akpoti-Uduaghan were not acknowledged. “Our attempts to provide guidance were not acknowledged,” he conveyed, reflecting the sentiments of his colleagues in the legislature. Karimi expressed that the present situation supports the earlier forecasts put forth by former Governor Yahaya Bello.
“It appears that former Gov. Yahaya Bello had the foresight regarding this matter,” he commented. He expressed concerns regarding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions, suggesting that they may negatively impact the perception of Kogi State and, by extension, reflect unfavorably on the nation as a whole.
“Senator Natasha has expressed concerns regarding the state’s reputation; in light of the current events in Nigeria, her remarks may be perceived as reflecting on the nation as a whole,” he stated. Karimi’s remarks highlight the ongoing tensions between Kogi lawmakers and Akpoti-Uduaghan, with Karimi presenting himself and his colleagues as having made efforts to avert the present situation.
The current divergence of opinions is garnering significant focus within the Senate and in wider circles.