By Mary Onyia
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, undeterred by the Kogi State Government’s ban on rallies, made a triumphant return to her hometown on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, amid a massive crowd of supporters. The rally, which was organized despite earlier warnings from the Kogi Police Command, saw residents of her constituency, many of whom had waited for hours, greet her with placards and jubilant chants.
The senator arrived by helicopter, with the crowd enthusiastically shouting solidarity as she disembarked, singing songs of support for their embattled representative. Despite the Kogi Police’s earlier directive to cancel the rally, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stood firm, insisting she had not broken any laws.
In an emotional speech delivered in her native Egbira language, the senator reaffirmed her commitment to her people and dismissed any attempts to intimidate her. She declared, “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.”
Before her arrival, the senator took to social media to express her concerns over potential violence during the visit. In a post on her Facebook page, she urged Nigerians to hold the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and current Governor Usman Ododo responsible if any harm befell her or her supporters during the event.
“My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today,” she wrote. “However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Ododo, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.”
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate for alleged violations of parliamentary rules. Despite this, she continues to draw significant support from her constituents, signaling her ongoing political influence in Kogi State.