Kogi State government has faulted the suspended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for holding a rally in her senatorial district, accusing the lawmaker of deliberate attempts to incite violence in the state.

“She deliberately violated the state government’s ban on political gatherings, which was put in place to prevent security breaches and maintain peace,” Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo said in a statement on Tuesday, shortly after the rally.

“Instead of respecting the law, she chose to incite chaos, disregarding the safety and stability of the state.”

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to her consistency on Tuesday on a Sallah visit and addressed her teeming supporters in a rally held in Ihima, despite the ban on political gatherings and processions in the Okehi Local Government of the state.

The politician had earlier called on Nigerians to hold Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, responsible if she and her supporters were attacked during the rally.

The lawmaker also alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio contracted Mr Bello to commence her recall and assassination.

Mr Fanwo, in his statement, described Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan as a serial manipulator, accusing her of using the rally to stir trouble in her senatorial district.

“This is yet another desperate and calculated attempt by an incurable liar and serial manipulator to mislead the public, inciting unrest, and present herself as a victim after deliberately violating the ban on political gatherings imposed by the State Government to maintain law and order.

“Her statement exposed her plans to use her visit to stir trouble and violence in the Kogi Central Senatorial District. We will not allow any part of the state to go up in flames nor permit the killing of innocent souls by the actions of the suspended Senator,” Mr Fanwo said.

Accusing Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of “demonstrating a pattern of lawlessness and using lies and deceit as tools of political engagements”, Mr Fanwo called on security agencies to hold her responsible for any security breakdown in the state.

“Let it be clear that the security of every citizen in Kogi State, including that of Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, remains a priority. However, the government will not tolerate anyone deliberately provoking crises and then crying wolf when confronted with the consequences of his or her actions.

“We call on the security agencies to take note of her reckless utterances and inflammatory actions that pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the state. She should be held accountable for her blatant attempts to incite violence and cause unnecessary tension,” the statement added.