Drama In Senate As Smart Adeyemi Describes Abia Gov As A ‘Drunkard’

There was mild drama in the Senate on Tuesday following comment
by Senator Smart Adeyemi referring to Abia Governor as a
“drunk.”

Adeyemi, while contributing to a motion on “Safe School
Initiative in Nigeria,” referred to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as a
“champagne drinking man”.

The lawmaker was apparently reacting to a social media post that
had cast an aspersion on Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello linked to
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South.

However, Abaribe expressed surprise at Adeyemi’s outburst
denying ever making the statement in question.

Adeyemi had said that while some Governors like Bello were
committed to the welfare and protection of their people, the people
of Abia are being governed by ‘drunkards.’

He said: “Despite that some Governors are doing their best, we
are lucky to have a governor who has taken the issue of security as
a serious priority.

“We are bordered by nine states but we had an experience of the
unfortunate incidents that are happening in neighbouring
states.

“Some governors are committed to the protection of their people.
In my state, the governor awarded contracts for the renovations of
schools and provides security services to them.

“In some states of Nigeria today, where we have highly
intelligent people, highly educated people, very enterprising
people, like Abia, they are governed by drunkards. The governor of
Abia is a champagne drinking man.

“Abia people are impoverished more than ever before. Abia people
are unfortunate.”

At this point, Senate President Ahmad Lawan cautioned him
against the use of un-parliamentary language.

Abaribe expressed surprise over Adeyemi’s comment and urged him
colleague to apologise to Ikpeazu.

Abaribe said: “Mr President, I will like to make a
clarification. Unfortunately, what has happened here today is one
of the problems that you see on social media. I never made any
comments on the governor of Kogi State. Never.

“What has happened is what we see going on today. People write
something and tag your name to it. And if you don’t ask question,
you will not know whether you actually said it or not.

“And I see so many things tag to me but I don’t talk. The last
time I saw Nuhu Ribadu, I also spoke to him. Something was tag to
his name that was very deleterious.

“I’m very surprised that my good friend and colleague decided to
open up on the governor of Abia for something I never said.”

Lawan noted the “air has now been cleared” and enjoined Senator
Abaribe to address the motion on the floor.

Abaribe agreed with Lawan but insisted that Adeyemi must
apologise to Abia Governor “for the very bad statement he made that
had no basis.”

There was mild drama in the Senate on Tuesday following comment
by Senator Smart Adeyemi referring to Abia Governor as a
“drunk.”

Adeyemi, while contributing to a motion on “Safe School
Initiative in Nigeria,” referred to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as a
“champagne drinking man”.

The lawmaker was apparently reacting to a social media post that
had cast an aspersion on Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello linked to
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South.

However, Abaribe expressed surprise at Adeyemi’s outburst
denying ever making the statement in question.

Adeyemi had said that while some Governors like Bello were
committed to the welfare and protection of their people, the people
of Abia are being governed by ‘drunkards.’

He said: “Despite that some Governors are doing their best, we
are lucky to have a governor who has taken the issue of security as
a serious priority.

“We are bordered by nine states but we had an experience of the
unfortunate incidents that are happening in neighbouring
states.

“Some governors are committed to the protection of their people.
In my state, the governor awarded contracts for the renovations of
schools and provides security services to them.

“In some states of Nigeria today, where we have highly
intelligent people, highly educated people, very enterprising
people, like Abia, they are governed by drunkards. The governor of
Abia is a champagne drinking man.

“Abia people are impoverished more than ever before. Abia people
are unfortunate.”

At this point, Senate President Ahmad Lawan cautioned him
against the use of un-parliamentary language.

Abaribe expressed surprise over Adeyemi’s comment and urged him
colleague to apologise to Ikpeazu.

Abaribe said: “Mr President, I will like to make a
clarification. Unfortunately, what has happened here today is one
of the problems that you see on social media. I never made any
comments on the governor of Kogi State. Never.

“What has happened is what we see going on today. People write
something and tag your name to it. And if you don’t ask question,
you will not know whether you actually said it or not.

“And I see so many things tag to me but I don’t talk. The last
time I saw Nuhu Ribadu, I also spoke to him. Something was tag to
his name that was very deleterious.

“I’m very surprised that my good friend and colleague decided to
open up on the governor of Abia for something I never said.”

Lawan noted the “air has now been cleared” and enjoined Senator
Abaribe to address the motion on the floor.

Abaribe agreed with Lawan but insisted that Adeyemi must
apologise to Abia Governor “for the very bad statement he made that
had no basis.”