The Kogi State Government and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have vehemently denied accusations made by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during her controversial visit to her constituency on Tuesday, where she alleged a plot to assassinate her.
The senator’s defiance of a state-imposed ban on public gatherings further fueled tensions in the state.
The political climate in Kogi State became more charged on Tuesday after suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a highly controversial appearance in her hometown of Okehi, despite a state ban on rallies and public gatherings.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, attended a Sallah celebration and homecoming event, which attracted thousands of supporters amid heightened security.
During her visit, the senator made serious allegations, accusing a fellow senator of collaborating with former Governor Yahaya Bello to arrange her assassination.
She also claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) facilitated a fraudulent recall petition against her, alleging that 250,000 signatures were gathered in just two days.
In response to these accusations, the Kogi State Government swiftly rejected her claims, calling them “reckless, malicious, and entirely false.”
A statement from the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s actions as an attempt to provoke violence and unrest.
The government emphasized that the senator’s visit violated the local curfew and rally ban imposed by the Okehi Local Government, accusing her of trying to distract from her suspension and legal challenges.
“The senator’s statements were designed to stir up trouble and disrupt the peace in Kogi State,” the statement read. “She is not a victim but an instigator of disorder.”
The Kogi State Police Command also reiterated the ban on political gatherings, with Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye emphasizing that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been warned against holding the rally.
The police maintained that they would continue to enforce the law to ensure public safety and order.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, through his media aide Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the senator’s allegations as baseless and inappropriate.
Eyiboh pointed out that the matter was subjudice, as it was tied to ongoing legal proceedings involving Akpoti-Uduaghan. “Her accusations show a disregard for the rule of law,” Eyiboh said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s visit comes amidst a backdrop of growing political tension, including her prior accusations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, which led to her suspension from the Senate in early March.
The political crisis between her and top government officials has continued to deepen, and her latest actions have further fueled the divide.
Despite efforts by Governor Ododo to calm the situation, including suspending a local vigilante leader and offering condolences to the Kano State Government, there are persistent concerns about potential violence in the region.
Security forces have maintained a heavy presence in Kogi Central as tensions show no signs of easing.
