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•Kogi senator holds mega rally, addresses concerns

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has condemned the Nigeria Police and the Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo, for their “reckless abuse of power” by attempting to frustrate the senator for Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from going to her family house and receiving her constituents.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the conspiratorial plot between the Kogi State police command and the governor, a first cousin of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor and a political rival of Akpoti-Uduaghan, to undermine her planned peaceful assembly in her own home was unjustifiable and unacceptable.

The statement said, “HURIWA is miffed that the Nigeria Police Force, which is a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, that ought to work to advance the common good, has unfortunately become the official ‘attack dog’ and has further deteriorated to become the official ‘LAPDOG’ of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force, as a matter of fact and as a matter of national importance and urgency, should and must take steps to shake off their parasitic attachment to the party that produced the current president of Nigeria and operate in compliance with the constitutional provisions and the Police Act of 2020, which necessarily mandates the Nigeria Police Force to become a professional, politically unaffiliated and patriotic organisation that serves the interest of all Nigerians and not that of the All Progressives Congress in such a way that they are deployed to embark on a political witch-hunt gambit and practically made to behave like the official vigilantes of All Progressives Congress. 

“Why should the Kogi State police command follow sheepishly the political directive of the APC governor by abusing the Police Act of 2020 and using illegal means through totally politically motivated and contrived reasons to attempt to stop Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from exercising her constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights to freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful Assembly and freedom of information?

“This is a total deterioration of policing standards that must be confronted and the Commissioner of Police made to face investigation to provide evidence of security threats that he cited for attempting to carry out the partisan instructions of the All Progressives Congress to muzzle a citizen of Nigeria of her human rights?

“HURIWA believed that the so-called security concerns are the contrived and dangerously partisan plot of the All Progressives Congress to frustrate the PDP senator from going ahead with her pre-planned rally. This is undemocratic.”

The civil rights group recalled that within 48 hours to the planned homecoming event organised by Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi State government, apparently doing the bidding of former Governor Yahaya Bello, a rabid political opponent of Akpoti-Uduaghan, illegally banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over “security reports”.

Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan, yesterday, arrived her hometown in Ihima, Okene, in Kogi State, despite the controversial restriction of movement imposed by the police. She was received by a massive crowd of supporters, who cheered, drummed, and marched with her.

The senator flew a helicopter into her country home in Kogi Central and hosted a rally in her expansive premises.

In a video circulating online, she was seen walking along a major road, surrounded by supporters chanting and celebrating her presence.

The energy in the town was high, with many residents defying earlier restriction measures imposed by local authorities.

Addressing the crowd, Akpoti-Uduaghan declared, “Nobody and nothing can stop me from coming home. I’m an Ebira woman; this is my land. I’m the daughter of the late Jimoh Abdul Akpoti. I know my roots; I’m not a bastard, and I’m not afraid of anybody.”

Her words were met with loud cheers as the crowd continued to march alongside her, expressing their unwavering support.

The homecoming came after authorities had placed certain restrictions ahead of her visit. However, the turnout of residents showed strong backing for the senator, as people freely expressed their loyalty and excitement.

In a Facebook post, yesterday, she reaffirmed her commitment to a peaceful gathering while warning that any disruption or violence should be blamed on the trio of Òdodo, Bello, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“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 & SP Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible,” she wrote.

Her post flew amid growing tension surrounding her visit, which the Kogi State government and the police authorities had attempted to halt.