Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi-West, has publicly acknowledged his role in the ongoing controversy surrounding Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Karimi’s remarks, made on the floor of the Senate, came after a report was tabled detailing the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi-Central) over a verbal altercation with Akpabio. The incident has caused a stir in the Senate, with Karimi confessing that he played a significant part in the chain of events that led to the public criticism of Akpabio.
Senator Karimi’s confession on Thursday was a significant moment in the Senate, especially as it relates to the dispute over seating arrangements and committee assignments. The Senate had earlier suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, following the endorsement of the findings from the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The committee had investigated the heated exchange between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan on February 20, 2025.
The exchange, which occurred during a Senate session, was centered on the allocation of seats and committee positions, an issue that has sparked much debate within the Senate chambers. Akpoti-Uduaghan was found guilty of breaching Senate Order 6, which allows the President of the Senate to reassign seats among senators. The probe also revealed that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s verbal outburst and misconduct were in violation of the rules and decorum expected of members.
A Public Admission of Guilt
While the focus of the report was on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s misconduct, it was Karimi’s public admission of his role in the unfolding situation that drew attention. In his statement to his fellow senators, Karimi did not shy away from admitting that he had played a part in escalating the issue, particularly concerning the accommodation of Akpoti-Uduaghan when she first arrived at the Senate.
According to Karimi, he, along with other senators, had pleaded with Akpabio to give Akpoti-Uduaghan a significant position within the Senate, specifically one that would allow her to head a committee. Karimi argued that since Akpoti-Uduaghan hailed from Kogi State—just like he did—it would only be fair for her to take over a committee that had previously been headed by a senator from the same state. He acknowledged that Akpabio was hesitant, questioning how a newcomer could be given such a prominent position, especially ahead of more senior and experienced senators.
“I want to confess my sin today. I am one of those who put you in this problem, and I am very sorry,” Karimi told Akpabio, as the Senate listened. His words were met with a mix of reactions from his colleagues.
The Dispute Over Committee Assignments
Senator Akpabio’s initial concerns about the assignment were understandable, given the hierarchy and the importance placed on ranking senators. The issue of committee chairmanships is a delicate one, as these positions carry substantial influence and power. Senators are often assigned to committees based on seniority, party affiliation, and regional considerations. In the case of Akpoti-Uduaghan, Karimi’s proposal to give her the chairmanship of the local content development committee raised eyebrows, as the position was seen as a strategic one.
Despite Akpabio’s reservations, Karimi persisted in his argument, believing that it was only right for Akpoti-Uduaghan to be given the committee, given her Kogi State background. However, as events unfolded, the relationship between Karimi and Akpoti-Uduaghan deteriorated. According to Karimi, the situation worsened to the point where Akpoti-Uduaghan stopped speaking to him altogether.
The Verbal Exchange That Sparked the Suspension
The situation came to a head on February 20, 2025, when Akpoti-Uduaghan publicly clashed with Senate President Akpabio during a session. The argument centered around the allocation of seats, which Akpoti-Uduaghan believed had been unfairly redistributed. As a result, she directed a series of insults toward Akpabio, as well as to Karimi, who she mistakenly thought was responsible for the seat reallocation.
In a passionate outburst, Akpoti-Uduaghan verbally abused both Karimi and his mother. This behavior was deemed inappropriate by the Senate and led to the formal investigation and eventual suspension. Akpabio, who was at the center of the dispute, faced significant public criticism as a result of the scandal, despite his efforts to mediate and manage the seating arrangement.
Karimi’s Attempt at Reconciliation
After the outburst, Karimi took steps to address the situation and reconcile with Akpoti-Uduaghan. He reached out to her privately, urging her to apologize to the Senate and to move forward. Karimi expressed his disappointment at how Akpoti-Uduaghan reacted to his attempt at reconciliation, revealing that people close to her had informed him of her dismissive response to his message.
Despite the tensions, Karimi insisted that he remained open to offering any support that Akpoti-Uduaghan might need, especially in trying to reach out to the leadership of the Senate to avoid further disciplinary action. However, as events continued to unfold, it became clear that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behavior could not be overlooked, and the Senate decided to move forward with her suspension.
