The Kogi State Government has placed a ban on the planned homecoming rally of embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, scheduled for Tuesday.
According to an invitation obtained by Lagos Reporters, the senator—currently contesting her suspension from the Senate following accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—was set to be honored by her constituents in a grand reception.
However, the state governor, Usman Ododo, has issued a blanket ban on rallies and public gatherings, alongside a suspension of fishing activities in certain areas, citing credible intelligence of potential security threats.
The event, originally scheduled to commence at 9 a.m., has now been thrown into uncertainty. When contacted, the senator did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding whether she would proceed with the rally despite the government’s directive.
In a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, and sent to Lagos Reporters, the government emphasized its commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and maintaining peace across the state.
The statement pointed to a recent violent crisis in Kogi Local Government Area, specifically in the Kasemiya, Katubo, and Umozu Ette communities, where a fishing-related conflict led to the deaths of two individuals. In response, all fishing activities in the affected regions have been suspended until peace is restored, with security operatives deployed to enforce compliance.
As tensions rise, the decision to ban the senator’s rally adds another layer of controversy to the unfolding political and security landscape in Kogi State. Whether the senator will challenge this decision remains to be seen.