Despite a government-imposed ban on public gatherings and vehicle convoys, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan made a dramatic return to her hometown of Ihima, Kogi Central, where she was welcomed by a massive crowd of supporters.
The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Usman Ododo, had earlier restricted rallies, convoys, and imposed a curfew in Okehi Local Government Area, citing security concerns. The state police also warned the senator against holding her homecoming rally, claiming intelligence reports suggested hoodlums might hijack the event.
However, defying these restrictions, Akpoti-Uduaghan bypassed the convoy ban by arriving in Ihima via helicopter at 1 p.m. Her supporters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, defied the curfew to welcome her.
In her address, delivered in the Ebira language, she reaffirmed her commitment to her people, declaring, *”Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. This is my town. I know my roots.”*
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the PDP, is currently serving a six-month suspension from the Senate. Meanwhile, a recall effort against her, reportedly backed by the APC, is gaining momentum.
Her return, despite political and legal battles, has been seen by analysts as a direct challenge to the state government and her political opponents, potentially setting the stage for a fierce political showdown in Kogi Central.
