Our Reporter
Embattled Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has insisted that the resolve to fly helicopter to her hometown, Ihima in Okehi Local Government Area, on Tuesday this week did not breach any law as alleged in some quarters.
Featuring on Channels Television Programme, “Politics Today,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said the helicopter choice was imposed on her by obstacles deliberately put on her way by the state government, which placed a ban on political rallies and public gatherings, a day before her homecoming, citing security concerns.
The police command in the state also warned against hoodlums hijacking the gathering to unleash mayhem, based on credible intelligence.
The senator claimed that authorities had mainly targeted her by erecting several checkpoints on the way to her hometown.
“Use of helicopter was my husband’s idea because they blocked all the roads leading to my house. So, my husband suggested we fly with a helicopter,”
“There was no law broken and I don’t think the state governor has the right to dictate what I speak and how I speak to my people,” she said.
The suspended Senator recalled having a cool relationship with Gov. Usman Ododo. She said the governor later supported her recall after his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, influenced him.
“If you watched my speech in my hometown, I mentioned that the Senate President first asked Governor Ododo to start my recall. But he turned it down.
Two days later, on March 14 this year, Godswill Akpabio asked Yahaya Bello to begin the process instead.”
“And what did Yahaya Bello do? He tasked Ododo, and Ododo could not say no…The first cover letter were all signed by special advisers to Ododo himself,”she said.
The lawmaker, however, appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for dismissing the petition seeking her recall. She noted that the decision was long overdue.
“What I’m going to say is this: even though INEC counted 208 signatures, I bet they would have struggled in the next stage — the verification. They wouldn’t have been able to get even 500 people to come out and confirm they signed.”
“I’m not worried because I trust my people, and my people connect with me. They are very happy with me. My election was not one that was apolitical. It wasn’t just PDP that voted for me. Even the APC card carrying members and other parties voted for me,” she said.
