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Awujoola yusuf babatunde
Apr 02 2025
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Akpoti-Uduaghan's visit, which came amid heightened tension in the state, drew fiery reactions from her political rivals and state officials after she alleged that there was a plot to assassinate her.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo have both sharply condemned the senator for disrespect to the law and fuelling an already charged political atmosphere.
Defying the prohibition by the state government on rallies in Kogi Central on security grounds, Akpoti-Uduaghan was received at her Okehi rural home with a deafening welcome from her multitude of followers.
Besides the ban by the state government on rallies and gathering, a curfew was also imposed by the Chairman, Okehi Local Government Area, but Akpoti-Uduaghan dared all this to stage a homecoming and Sallah celebration for her people.
Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio found themselves at the center of a political scandal that has engulfed the nation over the past few weeks after she made the allegations against Akpabio of sexual harassment.
The Kogi-born senator petitioned the Senate of sexual harassment by Akpabio, but on March 6, the Ethics Committee threw it out and instead handed her a six-month suspension without pay.
The Kogi Central Senatorial District legislator had earlier before coming on Tuesday urged Nigerians to hold Governor Ododo and his immediate predecessor, Yahaya Bello, and Akpabio accountable if she and her supporters were attacked.
She posted on Facebook, "My dear people of Kogi Central, I anticipate our Sallah celebrations peacefully today.
"But if we are attacked or infiltrated by violence, Nigerians should blame Gov Òdido, Yahaya Bello & SP Godswill Akpabio entirely."
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who landed Okehi by 11am in a helicopter, accompanied by her husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan, was received by the jubilant constituents, in their thousands, who danced to Ebira language songs.
Talking during the rally, the beleaguered Senator had the following to say, "Thank you all, I love you so much."
Sha further stated that regardless of threats and intimidation, she would never be silenced as she pursued justice, and that there was an attempt on her life.
Talking during the rally, the beleaguered Senator had the following to say, "Thank you all, I love you so much."
Sha further stated that regardless of threats and intimidation, she would never be silenced as she pursued justice, and that there was an attempt on her life.
"Senator Asuquo led Yahaya Bello to Hilton and the meeting was in two folds. He told him to go ahead with my recall and that he is sponsoring it, of course money changed hands that night.".
"Secondly, he instructed him to try killing me. He instructed him that the attempt to kill should not be carried out in Abuja but at home here (Ebira land). We did not inform the security agents. I called the media houses, and I wish they could publish the news in advance, that this is what happened in their meeting."
During her attempt at recall by her constituents against her in the Senate, she alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission aided the petitioners to perfect their work, going further to state that petitioners were members of the APC governing party whose names and addresses which were not traceable were fictitious.
She directed INEC to explain how, within two days, 250,000 signers signed a recall petition of the highest-performing Senator, referring to the exercise as a charade.
"We observed what they did; they came and misled our people, that they have empowerment for them with their PVCs. They took advantage of the illiteracy of our women. They took advantage of poverty. I know they will not get there by the mercy of God. The recall will not work.
On the prohibition of rallies, the senator went on, "I am an Ebira woman.". This is my place; I am the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my origin; I am not a bastard, and I fear nobody. As I mentioned, I am only a poor and simple Ebira girl. You all know that I was raised here. Where would I have obtained the money without the support of my husband to hire a helicopter and come here?
I knew that we were the target, but then I said this is not political season, and this is not the time for a campaign, and we are not having a rally. This is just m,e the senator representing Kogi Centra,l coming down to our people to celebrate this festive period with you, and there is nothing wrong with that.
"I am breaking no law.". This is Nigeri,a and we are worthy to be free and to have options within gatherings and festivals. There isn't such legislation in this country Nigeria and within the constitution forbidding me to return home and celebrate Sallah among my own. And hence I knew that though I am not a criminal I revere with reverence the authority of the governor. Besides that, I also get a reading of the Commissioner of Police's press release, and I also respect him, but agai,n we are sitting at our home.
"This is not on the road but in our house, and we are not violating any law. We have moved by helicopter, we did not move by road and convo,y so therefore, that means we did not violate any law."
