The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to proceed with the planned rally being organised by her constituency against Governor Usman Ododo’s order.
The governor had placed a blanket ban on all rallies and economic activities in some local governments, citing security reports, less than 24 hours before Natasha’s return to her constituency for the Sallah break.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, on Tuesday confirmed the ban to THE WHISTLER, saying, “Yes, there’s a ban,” without further explanation.
However, the Kogi senator, through a statement issued by her media team on Tuesday morning, quoted the senator as urging her supporters to disregard speculations making the rounds that she has cancelled her scheduled visit.
A member of the senator’s team confirmed the rally would be held as some members of the “advanced team are already in Kogi. The rest are joining this morning.”
He did not say if the embattled senator had arrived.
The statement issued by her media team read, “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.”
While stating that she has a statutory function in her capacity as the lawmaker representing her constituents, the senator encouraged her supporters to troop out en masse to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion,” the statement added.
