Despite the state government’s restriction on processions and demonstrations, the people of Kogi’s Ihima community gave Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan a hearty welcome home on Tuesday.
Rallies were prohibited by the Kogi government due to security concerns. However, a cheering mass of fans greeted the Senator who arrived in a chopper.
In the Ihima community of the Okehi Local Government Area (LGA), her supporters from the five local government areas of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, which Akpoti-Uduaghan represents, assembled as early as 8 am to greet the PDP lawmaker.
While they waited for the female politician to arrive, the celebration’s attendees were entertained by a number of local artists.
However, it was not long until the beleaguered senator showed up in a white chopper, to the cheers of her throngs of ecstatic supporters.
“Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and that convoys leading into the state will not be allowed. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not political season; this is not campaign time,” the lawmaker told her supporters and constituents.
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“We are not having a rally. This is just me, the Senator representing Kogi Central, coming down to her people to celebrate this festive time – the Sallah with you, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am breaking no law. This is Nigeria. We have the right to be free, to express our choice in gatherings and celebrations.”
Her return occurred just hours after the Kogi State Government, claiming security concerns, prohibited processions and public gatherings.
The chairman of the Okehi Local Government Area, Amoka Monday, then imposed a curfew on the area and issued a police warning to her to call off the event.
The politician assured the supporters that nobody could prevent her from returning home in spite of the warnings.
The politician claimed prior to the homecoming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello should be held accountable for any security lapses during the ceremony.
The senator from Kogi Central has been in the news lately, and the Senate suspended hee for a six months for violating its standing rules.
Senate Akpabio was accused of sexual harassment at the time of her suspension. There is also an ongoing recall process for her. However, the troubled lawmaker asserted that a witch hunt is to blame for her struggles.
