NIGERIA: Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Raises Alarm Over Safety, Blames Akpabio, Bello, and Ododo

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has urged Nigerians to hold Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello responsible if she or her supporters face any attacks.

The senator made this statement in a Facebook post on Tuesday, expressing concerns over potential violence during her visit to her constituency for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

She wrote: “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.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s warning follows the Kogi State Government’s recent decision to ban rallies and public gatherings due to alleged security concerns. Despite this, she reaffirmed her commitment to visiting her constituency and urged her supporters to dismiss rumors of a cancellation.

She stated: “I have a statutory duty as the elected representative of my people. I encourage my supporters to come out en masse and celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with me.”

On Monday, the state government prohibited political rallies, citing security risks. Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo claimed the decision was necessary to prevent potential unrest.

Similarly, the Kogi Police Command advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to cancel her planned rally, emphasizing that it violated the state’s directive.