From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
In spite of a curfew imposed on her local government and the ban on political rallies and restrictions on convoys, a massive crowd of supporters thronged out on Tuesday to welcome home Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Kogi State Government had on Monday banned public rallies and the entry of convoys into the state, citing security issues, while the Chairman of Okehi Local Government, Amoka Monday, had also declared a curfew, all in a bid to stop the defiant Natasha.
But the embattled senator arrived by helicopter at 1:00 pm, stunning the waiting crowd, who had gathered in front of her country home in Ihima since morning. The supporters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, defied police warnings and the curfew imposed by the Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area ahead of her homecoming.
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.
Addressing the cheering crowd in her native Ebira language, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her commitment to her people and dismissed attempts to intimidate her, saying, “Nobody can stop me from coming home. This is my home, this is my town. I am the daughter of the late Dr Abdul Akpoti.”
Political observers said that with Natasha’s homecoming in spite of strong opposition, the battle lines may have been drawn between her and the state government.