The Senator expressed her eagerness to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents on Tuesday.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended Kogi central senator, has pointed fingers directly at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Usman Ododo, and ex-Governor Yahaya Bello, warning that they will be held responsible for any outbreak of violence ahead of her homecoming rally.
She also alleged that any violent acts during the visit should be blamed on Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Usman Ododo, Kogi governor; and Yahaya Bello, former governor of the state.
“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today,” she declared in a fiery Facebook post on Tuesday.
“However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Ododo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.”
Her statement comes just hours after the Kogi State Police Command, acting on directives from above, ordered her to cancel the planned gathering — a move widely seen as part of the ruling party’s relentless suppression of opposition figures.
But in a swift rebuttal, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s media team dismissed claims that she had abandoned the visit, stressing that she remains steadfast in her commitment to engaging with her people.
“We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central will proceed as planned,” the statement read.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.”
The senator’s defiance comes amid an escalating political crackdown in Kogi State. Just yesterday, Governor Ododo announced a sweeping ban on rallies and public gatherings, citing “credible security reports.” However, critics argue that the move is nothing more than a desperate attempt to silence opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a fierce critic of the ruling APC in Kogi, has faced multiple attempts to shut her down—including legal battles and violent attacks on her supporters. But despite these challenges, she has remained a thorn in the side of the state’s political elite.
