Victor EzejaSenator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial district, on Tuesday, defied every attempt to stop her homecoming rally as she appeared before a jubilant crowd in Okehi Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the rally, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said she is not a bastard and nobody can stop her from coming to her homeland.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody,” Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stated in videos of the rally circulating on social media.
The senator’s scheduled visit was meant to be a Sallah visit to her constituency in order to interact with the people and galvanise district solidarity.
The rally held successfully despite the Kogi State Police Command issuing an order banning the event.
The police order was on the strength of a security alert issued by the Kogi State Government on Monday, announcing a total ban on all forms of rallies or public gatherings throughout the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, claimed that the government had received intelligence that “certain individuals are plotting to infiltrate the state under the guise of organising rallies, using fake security personnel to foment trouble.”
He said the ban was part of measures to forestall any form of instability.
The state government cited security issues in other parts of the state, such as disputes between communities in Kogi East and disputes over fishing in Kogi West.
However, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan went ahead and made her presentation despite the warning, and was well received by a contingent of supporters in the senatorial district.
The lawmaker has been at loggerheads with the leadership of the Senate that suspended her for six months on the grounds of gross misconduct.
She claimed that her suspension, which came shortly after her accusation of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment, was a way to silence her over the matter.
The Kogi senator is currently facing a challenge of being recalled from the National Assembly.
READ ALSO: Court Overturns Order Stopping INEC From Receiving Petition To Recall Akpoti-Uduaghan
Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notified the suspended lawmaker about the receipt of a petition to recall her from the National Assembly.
INEC received a petition from a group claiming to be Kogi Central Senatorial District registered voters, requesting that the commission start the senator’s recall process.
INEC Is Biased In Handling My Recall – Akpoti-Uduaghan
Speaking during the homecoming rally on Tuesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan accused INEC of being biased in handling the petition seeking her recall from the Senate.
She alleged that INEC was guiding the petitioners on how to legitimise their claims
“What I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts,” she stated.
READ ALSO: Natasha Recall: Petitioners Failed To Meet Requirements – INEC
She alleged that the group orchestrating her recall, Kogi Central Political Frontier, whose listed address is No. 4, Oboroke, does not exist.
Justifying her claim, she said that her search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) confirmed that the group was not legally registered.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said she and her supporters were ready to challenge the recall process in court and questioned why INEC had not taken any step to confirm the veracity of the petitioners or their accusations.
“I’m still waiting and wondering why INEC has not yet made a statement to that effect or sent people down to Oboroke here, which is just five minutes away, to ascertain whether that address is real. Or have we stooped to the point whereby fictitious, non-existing associations and individuals can call for the recall of a senator? Are we in a kangaroo country? We should not allow that.”
The lawmaker expressed optimism that when the electoral body visits the senatorial district to verify the 250,000 people said to have signed the petition for her recall, she trusts that her people would do the right thing.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
