Natasha Akpoti Defies Kogi Rally Ban, Sparks Controversy
Kogi State faced tense political drama this week after suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan defied an official rally ban and landed in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area via helicopter, sparking the “Natasha Akpoti homecoming rally controversy.”
Governor Usman Ododo had previously announced a prohibition on political gatherings based on intelligence indicating potential unrest. Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan proceeded with the rally, greeted enthusiastically by supporters.
Kingsley Fanwo Defines State’s Position
Kogi State’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, who serves as the official spokesperson for Governor Usman Ododo’s administration, swiftly condemned the rally. Fanwo explicitly accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of inciting violence by alleging assassination plots involving top Nigerian political figures:
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio
- Current Governor Usman Ododo
- Former Governor Yahaya Bello
Fanwo, speaking in a detailed interview with TVC News, emphasized the severity of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations. “She vividly described an assassination attempt, directly accusing senior political leaders. These inflammatory claims were clearly meant to provoke her supporters and could have incited opposing factions,” Fanwo stated.
Potential for Violence Highlighted
The Information Commissioner pointed out the critical security implications of the senator’s actions, underscoring that her provocative statements could easily have led to violent clashes. “If supporters of the other accused political figures had reacted, it would have resulted in catastrophic bloodshed,” Fanwo cautioned.
Fanwo firmly justified the government’s decision to impose a ban, reaffirming it as a necessary preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order and protecting lives.
Background: Ongoing Political Rivalry
The current controversy underscores deeper political tensions between Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Kogi State’s political establishment, historically associated with former Governor Yahaya Bello. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s aggressive stance and recent court victories have intensified the political divide, highlighting entrenched “Kogi APC vs PDP tensions.”
IDNN Analysis
The “Natasha Akpoti homecoming rally controversy” is not merely about defiance—it’s emblematic of broader political instability in Kogi State. Commissioner Fanwo’s statements illuminate government concerns over escalating tensions and underline the critical importance of responsible political rhetoric and actions.
