Kogi Govt, Akpoti-Uduaghan Differ On Senator’s Visit

OUTWITTED in the game, the Kogi State Government, on Tuesday, April 1, said the large gathering at the homecoming of the senator representing Kogi Central, Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and her supporters in Ihima, Okehi Local Council of the state, despite hasty and failed attempts to forestall it, was a security breach.
Recall that prior to the arrival of Akpoti-Uduaghan in the state for the planned visit same day, the state government and Police Command, had, in separate statements, banned rallies and convoys, citing security concerns, the the Police asking the organisers to shelve it, saying intelligence reports indicated that hoodlums planned to hijack the event.
The embattled senator, who was suspended over her sexual harrasment allegation against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, landed at the venue in a helicopter to meet with the gathering, said she had not broken any law by holding the event, insisting: “We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
However, the Kogi State Government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, said the gathering was held in violation of the ban on public gatherings, noting: “Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has consistently demonstrated a pattern of lawlessness, using lies and deceit as her tools of political engagement.
“The recent disturbances in Kogi State, orchestrated by her defiance of the state’s security directives, have further confirmed her status as a security threat to the people of the state.
“She deliberately violated the state government’s ban on political gatherings, which was put in place to prevent security breaches and maintain peace.
“Instead of respecting the law, she chose to incite chaos, disregarding the safety and stability of the state.
“When confronted with the consequences of her actions, she resorted to her usual tactics of playing the victim and fabricating baseless accusations against respected leaders of the state and the nation.”
Shortly before arriving the venue, Akpoti-Uduaghan made a cryptic post on her Facebook page, saying Governor Usman Ododo, former governor, Yahaya Bello, and Akpabio should be held responsible if anything happened to her.
In the now-deleted post, Mrs she wrote: “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.”
Ododo and Bello, like her, hail from Kogi Central District.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was treated to a rousing reception by her constituents from the five local government areas that make up the district.
Addressing the mamoth crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan, while dismissing the government’s curbs, insisted she was merely celebrating Sallah with her constituents, adding: “Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked and convoys leading into the state will not be allowed.
“I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not political season, this is not campaign time.
“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time, the Sallah with you, and there is nothing wrong with that.
“I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria; we have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”