Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has warned that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello should be held responsible if she or her supporters face any attacks.
The senator representing Kogi Central issued the statement on Tuesday, April 1, via her official Facebook page.
“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 Òdodo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible,” she wrote.
Her remarks followed her earlier declaration that she would proceed with her planned visit to her constituency for the Eid-el-Fitr break despite security concerns.
She dismissed reports suggesting that she had cancelled the trip and urged her supporters to join her for the celebrations.
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On Monday, the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings, citing security threats. The government also halted fishing activities, linking them to recent violent incidents that resulted in two deaths in Kasemiya, Katubo, and Umozu Ette in Kogi West.
Kogi Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo stated that the ban was necessary to prevent instability in the state.
In line with the state’s directive, Kogi State Police Commissioner Miller Dantawaye also warned Akpoti-Uduaghan to cancel her planned rally, saying it contravened the government’s ban on political gatherings.
Despite the warnings, videos of a rally in support of the senator have surfaced online. A live stream shared by Senator Bashir Haroon showed hundreds of supporters, mostly women, singing and drumming in anticipation of her arrival.