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NATASHA DEFIES BAN, ADDRESSES RALLY IN KOGI, SAYS SHE WAS REMOVED OVER LNG PLANTS, NOT SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan
has once again changed her narrative regarding her political challenges, now claiming that her removal was due to the LNG plants she allegedly facilitated in Kogi State, rather than the earlier allegations of sexual harassment.
Speaking at her rally on Tuesday, she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of conspiring to have her eliminated in Kogi.
Natasha said Nigerians should hold Gov Òdodo, Yahaya Bello and Senate President Godswill Akpabio wholly responsible if anything happened to her
Her warning came a few hours after she vowed in a statement to go ahead with her scheduled visit to her constituency for the Eid-el-Fìtr break and the rally planned for her homecoming.
She also urged her supporters to disregard speculations making the round that she had cancelled her scheduled visit.
The embattled lawmaker stated that she has a statutory function in her capacity as the lawmaker representing her constituents.
Natasha equally claimed that those, who recently petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for her recall were members of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
INEC recently acknowledged the receipt of the petition but pointed out some missing information about the petitioners.
In a subsequent statement, the electoral umpire said the missing information, which included addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners had been received.
The lawmaker accused INEC of aiding and guiding the petitioners to enable them to perfect their “illicit acts”.
She said, “From my personal perspective, what I see INEC doing is aiding and guiding petitioners on how to perfect their illicit acts.
“The first time the petition was submitted, they didn’t have address, phone numbers and all of that but INEC is out to guide them how to submit information that will perfect the petition.
“The petitioners, who were from the other party, the APC, now submitted a letterhead with an address that does not exist.”
Natasha’s claim of being removed on the basis of LNG comes despite the Ministry of Petroleum denying her involvement in the facilitation of any LNG projects, which the ministry claimed was cited due to existing plants and pipeline projects in Ajaokuta.
Her statements have been met with widespread skepticism, particularly on Facebook, where many users criticized her for inconsistencies and probable emotional blackmails in her story.
Previously, Natasha had alleged that she was targeted over sexual harassment concerns against the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, a claim that fueled public sympathy.
However, her sudden shift in position has led to accusations of political blackmail against the Senate leadership and the Kogi State government.
Her speech Tuesday has reignited debates over her credibility, with critics pointing to a pattern of shifting narratives depending on public sentiment.
Many observers believe that Natasha’s allegations were aimed at gaining sympathy ahead of upcoming political battles.
On Monday, the Kogi State Government banned rallies and public gatherings in the state over ‘security reports’.
The government also stopped fishing and other activities, arguing that they recently resulted in the loss of two lives in Kasemiya, Katubo and Umozu Ette, all in Kogi Local Government Area in Kogi West.
The Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo said the move was to prevent any form of security breach that might destabilise the state.
Similarly, the Kogi Police Command warned Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Sallah rally.
