Kogi State Tensions Rise As Suspended Senator Defies Ban

Defiance in Kogi: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Ignites Controversy

Let me tell you what's been going on in Kogi State. On Tuesday, tensions skyrocketed when suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a bold, defiant move by visiting her constituency in Okehi. Now, here's the kicker—this visit happened despite a strict state-imposed ban on public rallies and gatherings. The reason? Security concerns. But Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wasn’t about to let that stop her. She rolled into town anyway, and it was like a storm hit the political landscape.

Representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, Akpoti-Uduaghan didn’t just show up quietly. She made a grand entrance for a Sallah celebration and homecoming event in her hometown of Okehi. Thousands of supporters turned out to greet her, creating an atmosphere that was equal parts jubilant and tense. Security was tight, but the excitement in the air was palpable. This wasn’t just a visit; it was a statement.

Reactions Pour In: Criticism from the Top

Not everyone was thrilled with her decision to visit. Both Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo came down hard on her actions. They accused her of disregarding security directives and making an already fragile situation even worse. The governor and senate president weren’t holding back, painting her move as reckless and irresponsible.

Read also:

Celebrity Power How Stars Are Transforming The World Of Crypto Gambling

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Despite the local curfew imposed by Okehi Local Government Chairman Amoka Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived around 11 a.m. by helicopter, accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan. As she landed, the crowd erupted in cheers, singing and dancing in the Ebira language. It was clear that her presence resonated deeply with her supporters.

The Backstory: A Senator's Safety Concerns

Before she even touched down in Okehi, Akpoti-Uduaghan was already raising red flags about her safety. In a Facebook post, she sent a strong message: “Should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Òdodo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.” That’s a bold statement, folks, and it set the tone for what was to come.

At the gathering, she took it a step further, alleging that there was a plot to eliminate her. She claimed that a senator, Senator Asuquo, had coordinated with former Governor Yahaya Bello to orchestrate her assassination. According to her, the plan was two-fold: to begin the process of recalling her from office and to arrange her killing. She insisted that they wanted the killing to happen at home, not in Abuja. This was a serious accusation, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

INEC in the Crosshairs

Akpoti-Uduaghan also turned her attention to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing them of facilitating a fraudulent recall petition against her. She questioned how 250,000 signatures could have been gathered in just two days, calling the entire process a ruse. “INEC must explain this,” she demanded. “The names are fictitious and untraceable. It’s all a setup.” Her words carried weight, and they added another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.

Pushback from the Government, Police, and Senate

The Kogi State Government didn’t take her allegations lightly. They swiftly condemned her claims, calling them “reckless, malicious, and utterly false.” In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, the state government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of using her visit to stir up trouble and incite violence. They weren’t mincing words.

“Her statement exposed her plans to use her visit to stir trouble and violence. We will not allow any part of the state to go up in flames,” the statement read. The government was clear: they saw her actions as a calculated attempt to disrupt peace and order. They accused her of showing no respect for the law and of using lies to manipulate public sympathy. Her defiance, they said, was a security threat.

Read also:

Flirtcom The Ultimate Spot For Casual Connections

The government also pointed out that she had violated the curfew and rally ban, claiming that her accusations were merely a distraction from her suspension and pending legal issues. They warned her that she would be held responsible if any violence erupted in Kogi Central. It was a clear message: the stakes were high, and she was being watched closely.

The Kogi State Police Command also reaffirmed the ban on political gatherings. Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye stated that the command had already warned Akpoti-Uduaghan against holding the Sallah rally. They weren’t backing down, and the message was loud and clear: the rules applied to everyone, including her.

Silence from the Top: Senate President Akpabio’s Response

Meanwhile, Senate President Akpabio, through his media aide Eseme Eyiboh, chose not to engage with the lawmaker’s accusations. He described the matter as “subjudice,” meaning it was currently under legal consideration. Eyiboh explained in an interview with The PUNCH that commenting would tie the Senate President to the lawsuit. “There is no way to comment without linking it to the Senate President, who is a party to the suit,” he said. It was a diplomatic way of saying: we’re not touching this with a ten-foot pole right now.

“That shows the level of respect she has for the rule of law herself. We cannot say anything more than that,” Eyiboh added. The message was clear: Akpabio wasn’t going to be drawn into a public battle over the matter.

A History of Conflict

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been in the spotlight for a while now, especially since she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment. Her petition didn’t go far, though. The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed it and instead handed her a six-month suspension without pay on March 6. Since then, the political crisis has only deepened, with tensions rising between her and top figures in both the legislative and executive arms of government.

Despite efforts by Governor Ododo to calm things down—such as suspending a local vigilante leader and offering condolences to the Kano State Government—the situation in Kogi Central remains tense. Local fears about potential reprisals or unrest are real, and security agencies are maintaining a heavy presence to keep the peace. It’s a delicate balancing act, and the next moves could define the future of politics in Kogi State.