LOKOJA, Nigeria – The political battle in Kogi State intensified on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, following controversial comments by suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused the state’s leadership, including Governor Ahmed Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, of being responsible if anything were to happen to her.
This statement has been met with a swift and sharp rebuttal from the Kogi State Government, which has described the allegations as reckless, malicious, and unfounded.
In a statement released by Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information, the state government dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations as part of a deliberate attempt to incite unrest and create a false narrative of victimhood.
According to Fanwo, the suspended senator’s claims were not only false but also dangerous, aiming to stir violence and disrupt the peace in Kogi Central, a region that has already seen political tensions escalate.
The state government accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of deliberately violating the ban on political rallies and gatherings, which was imposed by the state to prevent security breaches.
Despite the restrictions, the suspended senator went ahead with her homecoming rally, an act that Fanwo argued showed a disregard for both the law and the safety of Kogi residents.
Fanwo further criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan for trying to manipulate public perception through lies, claiming that her recent actions exposed her true intentions.
“The Kogi State Government will not allow any part of the state to go up in flames nor permit the killing of innocent souls by the actions of the suspended Senator,” the statement read.
The government emphasized that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behaviour posed a direct threat to the state’s peace and stability.
Fanwo also pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan had deleted her Facebook post after realizing the consequences of her statements, but the state government claimed to have saved a screenshot before it was removed.
This post, according to the government, revealed her intent to cause trouble and highlighted the manipulative tactics she employed in her political engagement.
The statement called for Nigerians to reject Akpoti-Uduaghan’s attempts to gain sympathy through falsehoods and emphasised that the suspended senator was not a victim but an instigator of disorder.
It also warned that she would be held responsible if her actions resulted in violence in Kogi State.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, through his media aide Eseme Eyiboh, clarified that he was not willing to engage with Akpoti-Uduaghan on her allegations.
Eyiboh explained that anything concerning Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims was sub judice, as it is currently a matter before the court.
The media aide further criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lack of respect for the rule of law, noting that her continuous public frustration over the issue demonstrated her disregard for legal processes.
