Despite the ban on public gatherings, restrictions on vehicle convoys, the use of siren and the imposition of a curfew by the Kogi State Government and Okehi Local Government Area, the embattled senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan stormed her hometown, Ihima, to the warm embrace of a massive crowd of supporters, yesterday.
Governor Usman Ododo, had on Monday, banned all forms of rally or public gathering and entry of vehicular convoy with siren into the state, citing security concerns.
The state government’s action was followed by the imposition of a curfew on the embattled senator’s council area, Okehi Local Government Area, by the chairman, Amoka Monday.
The state Police Command also warned the senator to cancel her homecoming rally, and avoid coming into the state to avoid any kind of security breach.
A statement by the command’s spokesman, William Aya, said the directive was based on intelligence reports suggesting that some hoodlums were planning to hijack the event and cause a breakdown of law and order.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary because intelligence has revealed that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause a disturbance of peace in the state. The Command cannot afford to jeopardise the existing peace the state is currently enjoying,” he said.
However, despite the combined efforts of the state governor, Natasha’s local government chairman and the state commissioner of police to prevent her from visiting her state for the Sallah break, Natasha defied all odds and landed in her home town.
But, in a dramatic turn of events and to avoid breaching the restriction of vehicular convoy with siren into the state, the senator flew into her country home of Ihima, where a huge crowd was waiting for her, in a helicopter.
The embattled senator landed at 1pm stunning the waiting crowd and beating her political opponents to the game.
Her supporters, bearing placards with different inscriptions and chanting solidarity songs defied the police warnings and the curfew.
Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had raised the alarm through the social media, warning that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor, and former governor Yahaya Bello should be held liable if any violence erupted during her Sallah celebrations in her hometown. She was reacting to rumour about a possible cancellation of her homecoming, which she noted was a misinformation meant to dampen the morale of his supporters.
She, therefore, reaffirmed that her visit was meant to be peaceful and urged her supporters to ignore the misinformation about any possible cancellation.
Addressing the cheering crowd in her native Ebira language, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to her people and dismissed attempts to intimidate her, saying: “Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman. This is my home, this is my town. Nobody can stop me from coming home. I am the daughter of the late Dr. Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots. I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody.”
His words were met with loud cheers.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is serving a six-month suspension from the Senate over alleged breach of legislative rules. Meanwhile, a recall effort against her, reportedly backed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), is gaining momentum.
She has remained a controversial political figure, with her recent allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio, further fuelling tensions. Despite political and legal battles, she has continued to assert her influence in Kogi Central.
According to political observers and analysts, with her homecoming, in spite of all the hurdles and roadblocks, the battlelined may have been drawn between her, the state government and her political adversaries.
Credit: The Sun