Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, made a defiant appearance at her homecoming rally on Tuesday despite attempts by the police and Kogi State Government to prevent the gathering.
“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” declared Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in videos of the rally circulating on social media.
The rally went ahead despite the Kogi State Police Command banning the event on Tuesday.
The Kogi Police Commissioner, Miller Dantawaye, had issued a statement through command’s spokesman, Williams Ovye-Aya, citing intelligence reports of security threats and possible disruption by “hoodlums” who allegedly planned to hijack the rally.
The senator’s planned visit was reportedly intended as a Sallah visit to her constituency to engage with community members and foster unity within the district.
However, it was deemed as a rally organised in opposition to her ongoing supposed recall process believed to have been sponsored by opponents in the state.
Meanwhile, the police ban followed a security alert issued by the Kogi State Government on Monday, announcing a “total ban on all forms of rallies or public gatherings” throughout the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, claimed the measures were necessary due to intelligence suggesting “certain individuals are plotting to infiltrate the state under the guise of organizing rallies, using fake security personnel to foment trouble.”
The government mentioned security concerns in other areas of the state, including clashes over fishing activities in Kogi West and communal conflicts in Kogi East
Despite the warning, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan proceeded with her appearance and was received by a huge crowd of supporters.
Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notified the suspended lawmaker about the receipt of a petition to recall her from the National Assembly.
A group claiming to be registered voters from Kogi Central Senatorial District had submitted a petition to INEC, urging the commission to commence the recall process of the senator.
The constituents, in the letter signed by the lead petitioner, Salihu Habib, said they no longer had confidence in Akpoti-Uduaghan as their senator and representative in the National Assembly.
The recall move came amidst Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and her suspension for alleged misconduct at the upper legislative chamber.
