The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has revealed that she has been approached multiple times by individuals from the Presidency and some of her colleagues to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, she firmly rejected the idea, emphasising her commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the ongoing political crisis.
Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed this in a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was posted on YouTube on Saturday. When asked if the APC was an option should things not go well in the PDP, she replied, “No, I wouldn’t. I was in APC briefly at the start of everything. Why should I go and join APC?
“I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery.
“I have been approached many times. I have been approached by people from the Presidency, from even my colleagues. Even as recently as yesterday, one joked about it: ‘We’re still expecting, we would love to have you.’ And I’m like, I love my space, I love my peace here. I’m okay with my party now, so I don’t think I have to join the APC.”
She also indicated that she may run for the Senate again, noting that discussions are ongoing with her political party, but “it is not certain.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan addressed rumours that the immediate past Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, would contest for a senatorial seat in 2027, stating that she is not afraid of him. “If by any chance I make up my mind after due consultation with my family, constituents and political party, and I am on the ballot against former Governor Yahaya Bello in 2027, then I would say, bring it on.
“I am not scared of Yahaya Bello. I am his nightmare. He was a sitting governor and wielded all the powers at his disposal against me, and I defeated his candidate in 2023.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan is a serving first-term senator in the 10th Assembly, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, the same district Bello hails from. She contested and won the seat in 2023 on the platform of the PDP, defeating Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC, who was initially declared the winner.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Natasha approached the election petition tribunal, seeking to nullify Ohere’s victory and be declared the winner of the election. In September, the tribunal sitting in Lokoja nullified Ohere’s election and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan the winner with 54,074 votes, surpassing Ohere, who garnered 51,291 votes.
She also stated that if she decides to contest again, it would most likely be on the platform of the PDP, but she could be compelled to switch parties if the PDP fails to resolve its leadership crisis. “If by any chance I decide to contest in 2027 and the PDP hasn’t resolved its crisis, I need just a month to choose a platform of my choice, and my people will move with me.”
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