The suspended Senator Representing Kogi Central, senatorial district, senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said that she remain a law abiding person and not a law breaker as being painted by her detractors.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan who stated this on Tuesday during a sallah get together with her constituents in her country home in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area, said she has not violated the directive of the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, as there was no street rallies or convoy.
“I’m not a law breaker. I appreciate the governor’s orders. We came by helicopter and not by road. No convoy, we are not in the streets, so we didn’t break the law.” – Sen. Natasha H Akpoti-Uduaghan declares.
Earlier the Senator had declared through her social media handle that “My dear people of Kogi Central, I look forward to our PEACEFUL Sallah celebrations today. However, should we be met with or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should hold Gov Òdodo, Yahaya Bello and SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible.
Addressing thousands of her supporters at her compound shortly after her arrival, she said no amount of threats and intimidation would silence her voice in seeking Justice.
“Am an Ebira woman, the daughter of Akpoti, they tried to stop me from coming home. We own Ebira together and no Senate President and his co travellers would stop me from coming home
“Senator Asukwo drove Yahaya Bello to Hilton and the meeting was in two fold. He told him to commence my recall and that he is going to sponsored it, of course money change hand that night
“The second thing he told is that he should try and kill me. He told him the killing should not be done in Abuja but it should be done at home here. We didn’t modified the security agents, I called on media houses and I want them to published the news ahead of time that this is the nature of the meeting
The Senator lamented how the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), helped the petitioners to perfect their petition, described the petitioners as APC members, with unidentified names , beginning with Kogi Central political frontiers with fictitious address, that is not traceable.
Sen. Natasha called on the world, Nigerians and INEC to explain how in two days 250,000 petitioners could sign a recall petition of the most performing Senator, described the process as a ruse.
“We saw what happened they came around and decieved our people that they have empowerment for them with their PVC they took advantage of our women illiteracy. They took advantage of poverty. I know they will not succeed by the grace of God. The recall will not be successful.
While pointing out that she is amongst people who are trying as difficult as it is to strengthen some of the nation’s institutions, said not minding the threat, urged Nigerian to join her as she will not fold her arms
The Senator maintained that the INEC has compromised, stooped so low in wanting to help the petitioners perfect their petition, called on the people of Central to resist falsehoods and intimidation.
She urged them to stand up to their right whenever INEC call for verification by doing what is right to challenge those who do not mean well for the people of the district.
” I trust the people of Central will do what is right. Speak out against the oppression and intimidation that has held us back for too long”
The Senator expressed appreciation to the people for the rousing reception, said it has emboldened her in her struggle for justice, said the time for institutions like the Judiciary and INEC to justify the confidence of Nigerians is now
However, Kogi state government has taken a swipe at Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her recent attempt to mislead the public and incite unrest.
In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state government described her post on social media as reckless, malicious and an utterly false allegation.
The state government said the statement made by Natasha was yet another “desperate and calculated attempt by an incurable liar and serial manipulator to mislead the public, incite unrest, and present herself as a victim after deliberately violating the ban on political gatherings imposed by the state government to maintain law and order.