Kogi commissioner accuses Natasha Akpoti of inciting violence at homecoming rally

Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi state commissioner for information, has accused Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of inciting violence during her homecoming rally on Tuesday.

The Kogi central senator defied security restrictions and arrived by helicopter at her hometown in Ihima, Okehi LGA, where she was welcomed by supporters.

Speaking on the incident, Fanwo criticised Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi state, and his predecessor Yahaya Bello were plotting to assassinate her.

The commissioner warned that such allegations could have triggered violent confrontations.

“Yesterday would have been so bloody if the supporters of the other principal political actors went the way of the suspended senator,” Fanwo told TVC on Wednesday.

“You are accusing the senate president, the former governor and the current governor of the state of planned assassination against your person, and was even giving graphic explanations of how it happened.

“This was aimed at inciting her people and also eliciting reactions from the supporters of the other principal actors. If they had reacted, that would have led to a lot of bloodshed yesterday.”

The commissioner defended the government’s decision to ban rallies, saying it was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Fanwo noted that despite the heightened tensions, peace was ultimately maintained in the state.