Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to Kogi Central on Tuesday sparked a fresh political storm as she defied a government ban on rallies and public gatherings.
Her visit, marked by accusations of an assassination plot against her, has drawn strong reactions from state authorities and political rivals.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is at the centre of a fierce political battle with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, was received by a massive crowd in her hometown, Okehi, despite a state-imposed curfew.
She had earlier warned on Facebook that Nigerians should hold Akpabio, Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello responsible if she or her supporters were attacked.
“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,” she wrote.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate for six months after accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment, alleged an attempt on her life.
Addressing her supporters, she claimed that a senator facilitated a meeting where plans to recall and eliminate her were discussed.
“Senator Asuquo drove Yahaya Bello to Hilton and the meeting was in two folds. He told him to commence my recall and that he is going to sponsor it, of course money changed hands that night.
“The second thing he told him is that he should try and kill me. He told him the killing should not be done in Abuja but at home here (Ebira land).”
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She also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with her opponents to orchestrate a fraudulent recall petition, claiming 250,000 signatures were gathered in two days under suspicious circumstances.
“They came around and deceived our people, that they have empowerment for them with their PVCs. They took advantage of our women’s illiteracy. They took advantage of poverty. I know they will not succeed by the grace of God. The recall will not be successful.”
Dismissing the government’s ban on gatherings, she insisted she had done nothing wrong by visiting her constituency for Sallah celebrations.
“I am an Ebira woman. This is my land; I am the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I am not a bastard, and I am not afraid of anybody. This is Nigeria, and we have the right to be free and express choices in gatherings and celebrations.”
Kogi State authorities, however, condemned her visit, accusing her of attempting to incite violence. Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo dismissed her allegations against Ododo, Bello, and Akpabio as baseless.
“This is yet another desperate and calculated attempt by an incurable liar and serial manipulator to mislead the public, incite unrest, and present herself as a victim after deliberately violating the ban on political gatherings imposed by the state government to maintain law and order.”
The state government maintained that her actions confirmed intelligence reports suggesting attempts to destabilise the region.
“The building tension and cloud of violence hanging on Kogi Central wouldn’t have been necessary if Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had complied with the position of the state government and cooperated with security agencies. She would be held responsible if her actions result in any violence in Kogi Central or any part of the state.”
Senate President Akpabio declined to engage in the controversy. His media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, said, “Anything concerning Natasha within the purview of the law is subjudice because there is no way you will comment on it without linking it to the President of the Senate, who is also a party to the suit.”
As political tensions in Kogi State intensify, observers worry that the unfolding drama could have broader implications for governance and stability in the state.