Inspite of the Kogi state Government Order and Curfew declared by her Local Government Leadership, embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, arrived her Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi state, in Helicopter.
The Senator who was received by mammoth crowd of people in her Kogi Central Constituency at about 2:Pm, escorted by large number of security personnel to ensure her safety.
Addressing the crowd in her compound at Okehi, the Senator could not hide emotion as she thank the people for their love and prayers especially at this trial period.
She however insisted that, she is an ebira woman, a daughter of a renown ebira parent and there cannot never stopped from coming to her home as Ebira Land is her home.
“No body I repeat, no body will stop me from coming to my home, I am an ebira person a daughter of Dr Akpoti. I am not a bastard I am more of ebira than some people, I am not afraid of anybody except God Almighty.”
“Yesterday there was an order from the state government that banning rally and disallow any convoy into the state, you and I know that I was the target.”
“But for God sake, this is not political period what we are doing here is not a street rally, infact I came here with a Chopper not on the road, so I didn’t break the Law because I am a law abiding citizen, we are all here in my compound and not on the street, so no law is broken by me or any of you.”
“My coming here is not political but rather to come and celebrate the festive season with you my people, I did not break any law. I am a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing you, so I see no reason why I should not come home and be with my people especially in this festive season.”
“For the past one month now, I have been going through some challenges, but your prayers and love kept me going.”
“Some people say we are stubborn, no we are not, we are only courageous and refuse to be cheated. We don’t easily react, but when we do we stand by it because we stand by the truth and justice.”
“Sometimes in 2023, you all came out and cast your vote for me in your volition, you were not armed twisted, you all came, defy the sun an rain to vote for me Natasha because want a true representation at the National Assembly, so don’t allow anyone out of selfish interest to take that representation from you.”
“What I am going through for the past one month now, is because I refused to compromise with the usual corrupt system, I refuse to dine with them in corruption, I always stand against their usual style of corruption and dirty politics, so that’s why they want Natasha out,” she added.
Earlier, the Kogi state government has ordered a ban on any kind of rally and regulate security convoy into the state, due to intelligent reports of possible disturbance of peace in the state.
The government in a press statement issued by the commissioner for information and publicity, Kinsley Fanwo, stressed that it would ensure that law and order are maintained in the state.
“In Kogi Central, intelligence at our disposal point to the fact that some elements are planning to stage some violent rallies in the guise of political and religious agitations. This is to create a platform for wanton destruction and breakdown of law and order.”
“These flashes of disturbances are raising tension in the state and threatening to breach public peace and security. In view of this, and effective immediately, the Kogi State Government has placed a total ban on all forms of rallies or public gatherings that have the potential to disrupt public peace.”
“This decision has been necessitated by intelligence reports indicating that certain individuals are plotting to infiltrate the state under the guise of organizing rallies, using fake security personnel to foment trouble and compromise the security of law-abiding citizens of our dear state.”
“While the government recognizes the constitutional rights of citizens to gather and express themselves, security considerations must take precedence in the interest of public safety. As such, no individual, group, or organization is permitted to hold any form of rally within the state until further notice.”
“In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining law and order, the Kogi State Government has directed that any individual or group entering the state with a convoy of security personnel must obtain prior clearance from state commands of the deploying services. This measure is to ensure proper profiling and verification of all security operatives accompanying such convoys,” the statement added.
The statement further stated that the state governor Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed the state Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara (RTD) to to work closely with all security agencies in the state to ensure strict enforcement.
Echezona Okafor.
