Kogi Central, April 1, 2025– A political firestorm is brewing in Kogi State as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the embattled lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, stands firm on holding her banned homecoming rally today, April 1, 2025. The event, billed as a Sallah celebration to mark Eid-el-Fitr, has sparked a tense standoff with Governor Usman Ododo’s administration, which imposed a sweeping ban on all public gatherings on March 31, citing escalating security threats. Undaunted, Natasha has rallied her supporters, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown that could test the limits of state authority and her political resilience.
The controversy erupted late Sunday when the Kogi State Government, backed by Governor Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), issued an executive order prohibiting rallies and public gatherings across the state. The directive, announced via a press release from the Commissioner for Information, claimed intelligence reports pointed to potential violence in Kogi Central, fueled by “political and religious agitations.” Hours later, the Kogi State Police Command, led by Commissioner Miller Dantawaye, doubled down, explicitly warning Natasha to cancel her event or risk a “breakdown of law and order.” The police statement underscored the state’s fragile peace, arguing that any rally could destabilize the region.
Natasha, a fierce opposition figure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), fired back in the early hours of Tuesday. In a statement released by her media team at 1:00 AM Nigeria time (5:00 PM PDT Monday), she dismissed the ban as a “desperate ploy” to silence her and vowed to proceed. “The Sallah visit to Kogi Central will go ahead as planned,” the statement read. “I urge my constituents to ignore rumors of cancellation and join me in celebrating Eid-el-Fitr in peace and unity.” Her defiance has electrified her base, with supporters flooding social media to hail her resolve, while critics accuse her of recklessness in a volatile climate.
This clash is the latest chapter in Natasha’s tumultuous political journey. Elected in 2023 after a contentious battle that saw her initial loss overturned by a tribunal due to vote inflation by her opponent, she became Kogi State’s first female senator. Her tenure, however, has been marred by conflict. Earlier this year, she was suspended from the Senate for six months after accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment—a charge he denies—prompting a recall petition from constituents that claimed over 250,000 signatures, though its legitimacy remains under scrutiny. Now reinstated, Natasha’s return to Kogi Central is framed as both a celebration and a political statement, amplifying tensions with the state’s APC-led government.
As of 10:59 AM Nigeria time (2:59 AM PDT), no incidents have been reported, but the day is young. Local government officials in Kogi Central have echoed the state’s ban, with some deploying security personnel to key locations. Meanwhile, Natasha’s team has shared images on social media of preparations underway—tents, banners, and crowds gathering under the slogan “Natasha Stands with Us.” Analysts say the rally could draw thousands, testing the state’s ability to enforce its edict without escalating into violence.
The stakes are high. For Governor Ododo, quelling the event is a matter of asserting control in a state long plagued by political rivalries. For Natasha, it’s a chance to solidify her grassroots support ahead of future battles, including a potential recall referendum. As Kogi Central braces for impact, Nigeria watches—will this be a triumph for defiance or a spark for chaos? Updates are expected as the day unfolds.
Tags
News