Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has revealed the reason behind her decision to use a helicopter for her homecoming event, stating that it was a last-minute plan initiated by her husband to navigate restrictions imposed by the Kogi State government.

Speaking during a television interview on Politics Today on Thursday, the senator explained that her use of the chopper was to avoid obstacles that could have prevented her from celebrating Salah with her constituents.

She began by expressing gratitude to God, her family, and her supporters. “First, I want to appreciate God for His grace, my husband for his love and support, my children for their sacrifices, and my team for their resilience. I also extend my gratitude to Femi Falana (SAN), Kadri Ahmed, and the good people of Nigeria, especially my constituents, for their love, support, and prayers. I believe they have kept me strong.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that it had always been her tradition to celebrate Salah with her people by distributing essential materials, even before assuming office. However, this year, she faced unexpected restrictions from the state government.

“We sent out notifications about my visit, but shortly after, we read a press release from the state government, signed by Governor Ododo through the Commissioner of Information, Kinsley Fawo. The statement announced a ban on gatherings, rallies (whether social, religious, or political), convoys entering the state, fishing activities, and all forms of water-related activities,” she said.

She alleged that the directive was politically motivated, noting that Kogi State had been relatively peaceful, with no security concerns warranting such restrictions.

On the issue of fishing bans and recent arrests in Kogi West, she admitted that she had not been following negative news for personal reasons. “I try to avoid a lot of negative news for my mental health and to focus on my work for my constituents. However, now that I have more breathing space, I will look into the matter and see how I can intervene.”

Despite the imposed restrictions, the senator was determined to be with her people. She observed that multiple checkpoints had been set up across entry points into her senatorial district, making road travel difficult.

“At that moment, I knew there would be trouble. So my husband suggested an alternative: we could use a helicopter to land directly in our compound. Since we own the land opposite our village home, we decided to proceed with that plan,” she explained.

She clarified that her actions did not violate any laws. “The road you saw us walking on? I constructed that road. It’s not a government road or facility. So, I broke no law. I am a good and law-abiding citizen of Nigeria.”