The police have asked Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan to cancel her planned Eid-el-Fitr rally in Kogi State’s Central Senatorial District.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, announced this in a statement released on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP William Aya.
According to the police, Natasha’s rally goes against the state government’s recent ban on political gatherings, 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 the planned rally at Okene to cancel such an event in the interest of 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 jeopardise the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.”
The police also warned against any attempts to defy the order, 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.”
Despite the ban on political gatherings, which was announced on Monday, Natasha has insisted that she will go ahead with her “homecoming”, stating that she is only returning to the state to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.