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

Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday, Karimi said recent developments confirm that Bello was not to blame for past disputes between him and Akpoti-Uduaghan before the National Assembly elections.

“Former Governor Yahaya Bello must have seen it coming,” Karimi said, referring to the ongoing face-off between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

He added, “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.”

Karimi criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for ignoring advice from her colleagues, stating that her actions have caused embarrassment to both Kogi State and the nation.

“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 said.

The controversy in the Senate began after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. She was later suspended for allegedly violating Senate rules.

Karimi expressed regret that the matter had escalated despite repeated efforts to resolve the issue privately.

Background
Tensions between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and former Governor Yahaya Bello date back to the 2023 National Assembly elections. Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defeated Bello’s preferred candidate to secure the Kogi Central senatorial seat.

Since her election, she has faced multiple political and legal challenges, including a recall attempt and allegations of misconduct. The current dispute with Akpabio has further heightened political tensions within the Senate and Kogi State.