Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan has been asked by the police to cancel her scheduled Sallah rally in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi State.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, stated this in a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya.
Dantawaye said in the statement that the rally violates the state government’s recently proclaimed ban on political meetings, which was announced on Monday.
The statement reads, “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.”
The police also warned against any attempts to defy the directive, saying, “In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on anyone who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan has claimed that she will proceed with her “homecoming” in spite of the political gathering restriction that was announced on Monday, claiming that she is merely going back to the state to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
