Defiant Natasha To Detractors: “Nobody Can Stop Me From Coming Home”

Defiant Natasha to detractors: “This is my home, this is my town. Nobody can stop me from coming home. I am the daughter of the late Dr. Abdul Akpoti.”

Defiant Natasha to detractors: Nobody can stop me from coming home

They came out in their numbers – men, women, youths and even children – united in their desire to welcome home their senator who is being harassed by male colleagues in Abuja and threatened at home by her political opponents.

But Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s homecoming on Tuesday, the first time since she was suspended for six months was heroic.

Despite the ban on political rallies and restrictions on convoys, a massive crowd of supporters thronged Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State to welcome her home.

In a dramatic turn of events, the senator arrived by helicopter, stunning the waiting crowd, who had gathered in front of her country home in Ihima since morning.

The supporters, carrying placards and chanting in solidarity, defied police warnings and a curfew imposed by the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Amoka Monday, ahead of her homecoming.

The ban on public gatherings by the Kogi State Government on Monday had heightened tensions, with security forces citing concerns about potential disturbances. However, the senator remained defiant, asserting that she had every right to visit her hometown.

Earlier, Akpoti-Uduaghan had issued a strong warning via social media, stating that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and former Governor Yahaya Bello should be held responsible if any violence erupted during her Sallah celebrations.

“Nobody can stop me from coming home”

Addressing the cheering crowd in her native Egbira language, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to her people and dismissed attempts to intimidate her.

“This is my home, this is my town. Nobody can stop me from coming home. I am the daughter of the late Dr. Abdul Akpoti.”

Insisting that her homecoming did not violate any law following the ban on rallies and public gatherings in Kogi State, Natasha said her visit was not a political rally but a peaceful gathering to celebrate Sallah with her people.

Her words: “Yesterday, we heard on the news that rallies and gatherings will not be allowed, that roads will be blocked, and convoys leading into the state will not be permitted. I knew that we were the targets. But then I said, this is not political season, this is not campaign time,” she said.

“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.”

Police Ban Homecoming Rally

Earlier, the Kogi State Police Command had warned organizers of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s homecoming rally to cancel the event, citing security concerns.

In a statement, the spokesman of the Kogi Police Command, William Aya, said the directive was based on intelligence reports suggesting that some hoodlums planned to hijack the event and cause a breakdown of law and order.

“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause a disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.”

Aya further urged organizers to comply with the directive, emphasizing that the measure was taken to protect public safety and prevent possible unrest.

Despite the ban, supporters of the senator turned out in large numbers, chanting and holding placards in solidarity, as they awaited her arrival at her country home in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area.