Key Points

• Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan used a helicopter to travel to her hometown after facing roadblocks and checkpoints imposed by the state government.

• The senator defended her actions, claiming she did not break any laws and had the right to speak to her supporters.

• She praised INEC for dismissing the recall petition against her, citing issues with the petitioners’ registration and address.

Suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan recently explained why she used a helicopter to travel to her hometown, Ihima, in Kogi State.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, the senator revealed that the idea came from her husband.

On Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan defied a ban on political rallies imposed by the state government due to security concerns.

The ban, which was set after police received intelligence that criminals might hijack the event, did not stop the senator from addressing a large crowd of supporters.

Why the helicopter flight was necessary

Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that the state had set up several checkpoints along the route to her hometown, making it difficult to travel by road.

Faced with the obstacles, her husband suggested using a helicopter as an alternative way to avoid the roadblocks.

She said, “It was my husband’s idea. You know they blocked all the roads leading to my house so my husband suggested we fly with a helicopter.”

She also expressed that the restriction was aimed specifically at her, which she believed was unfair.

No law was broken, says Akpoti-Uduaghan

The senator strongly denied breaking any laws during her visit. She stated, “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 stood by her decision to defy the ban, claiming her right to address her constituents as their elected representative.

Tensions with Governor Usman Ododo

Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about her strained relationship with Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo.

She explained that she initially thought their relationship was cordial until he began supporting efforts to recall her.

The senator claimed that Governor Ododo, who is closely aligned with former Governor Yahaya Bello, was pressured to back the recall petition.

She said, “I was actually surprised at that, and if you watched my speech at my hometown, I did mention that the Senate president first called on Governor Ododo to commence my recall, but he turned that down.”

She further explained that four of the 14 individuals who signed the petition for her recall were aides of Governor Ododo, which she found troubling.

INEC’s decision on the recall petition

Akpoti-Uduaghan praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for dismissing the recall petition against her.

She pointed out that her team discovered that the petitioners were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and that the address they provided didn’t exist.

“There is no address like that. Oboroke is just five minutes away from me. I did send people there. There is no address,” she said.

While INEC counted 208 signatures, Akpoti-Uduaghan believes that a more thorough verification would have shown that fewer people truly supported the petition.

Confidence in her supporters

Despite the recall efforts, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed confidence in her supporters. “I’m not worried because I trust my people, and my people connect with me,” she said.

She emphasized that she had the support of voters across party lines, not just from her party, the PDP, but also from APC members and others who voted for her.

“They resonate with the idea that I project, and they are actually very happy with the manner in which I have represented them,” she added.