Senator Natasha
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has raised concerns over her safety and that of her supporters. On Tuesday, she urged Nigerians to hold Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, accountable if she or any of her supporters are attacked.
The senator made this known through a post on her official Facebook page. She reassured her constituents of her commitment to celebrating the Eid-el-Fitr festival with them but warned of potential threats to her safety.
“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our peaceful Sallah celebrations today. However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Ododo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible,” she wrote.
Her statement comes just hours after she vowed to proceed with her scheduled visit to her constituency for the Eid-el-Fitr break and her planned homecoming rally, despite opposition from the state government. She also urged her supporters to ignore circulating rumors that her visit had been canceled.
Asserting her role as a representative of the people, Senator Natasha emphasized that she has a statutory duty to engage with her constituents. She encouraged them to turn out in large numbers to celebrate the festival with her, despite the government’s restrictions.
On Monday, the Kogi State Government imposed a ban on rallies and public gatherings in the state, citing security concerns. The government also restricted fishing and other communal activities, alleging that they had recently led to the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo, and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area.
Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, stated that the move was a precautionary measure to prevent security threats and maintain peace in the state. He explained that intelligence reports had raised concerns about potential disruptions, prompting the state’s decision to restrict large gatherings.
Similarly, the Kogi State Police Command issued a stern warning to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, advising her to call off her planned Sallah rally. Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, stated that her planned event contravened the government’s directive banning political gatherings in the state.
Related: “Cancel Your Homecoming” – Police Tell Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
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Despite these restrictions, videos of the senator’s supporters preparing for her homecoming have surfaced on social media. One of the Kogi senators, Bashir Haroon, shared a live video showing a massive crowd of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters, primarily women, singing and drumming in anticipation of her return.
