On Tuesday, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, confirmed she would go ahead with her planned visit to her constituency for the Sallah break. She also urged her supporters to ignore rumors suggesting she had canceled the visit.
In a statement released by her media team early Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan reassured her constituents that her trip would proceed as scheduled, despite the circulating speculation. “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central Senatorial District will go on as planned,” the statement read. “There has been no official announcement from our office regarding any cancellation.”
The senator emphasized her responsibility to her constituents and encouraged her supporters to come out in large numbers to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her. “As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and promoting unity and cooperation,” the statement continued. “She is dedicated to the people of Kogi Central and looks forward to celebrating this special occasion with them.”
The statement assured the public that all necessary arrangements were being made to ensure a successful and joyful event. It also invited everyone in the community to join in the celebration.
This announcement came just hours after the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state due to security concerns. The government also suspended activities like fishing, citing recent violence in the Kogi Local Government Area that resulted in two fatalities. In a statement issued on Monday, State Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo said the ban was necessary to prevent any security threats that could destabilize the region. He also mentioned that intelligence reports suggested some groups were planning violent rallies disguised as political and religious protests in Kogi Central.