The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has disclosed that she has been approached repeatedly by individuals linked to the Presidency and by some of her colleagues to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
She, however, said she has firmly rejected all such overtures, stressing that she remains committed to the PDP despite the internal crisis currently facing the opposition party.
Ejes Gist News reports that the senator made the disclosure during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
Is she planning to contest again in 2027?
- She said discussions are ongoing within her party, but no final decision has been made.
“APC Is Not an Option for Me” — Natasha
Responding to questions on whether the APC could be an alternative platform if the PDP’s internal challenges persist, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the idea outright.
“No, I wouldn’t,” she said. “I was in APC briefly at the start of everything. Why should I go and join APC?”
She explained that her political decisions are guided by conviction rather than pressure or political convenience.
“I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery,” she added.
Alleged Pressure From Presidency and Lawmakers
Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that the attempts to lure her into the APC have been persistent and came from different quarters, including individuals she described as being from the Presidency and some of her colleagues in the National Assembly.
“I have been approached many times,” she said. “I have been approached by people from the Presidency, from even my colleagues.”
She disclosed that the most recent attempt occurred only days before the interview.
“Even as recently as yesterday, one joked about it: ‘We’re still expecting, we would love to have you,’” she said.
According to the senator, she made it clear that she was comfortable where she is politically.
“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 stated.
Possible 2027 Re-Election Bid
Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about her political future, confirming that discussions are ongoing within the PDP regarding a possible re-election bid in 2027, although no final decision has been made.
She said consultations were still in progress and that her next move would be determined after engaging her family, constituents, and party stakeholders.
While she did not confirm definitively whether she would seek a second term in the Senate, she noted that the option remains open.
Yahaya Bello Speculation and 2027 Contest
Addressing speculation that the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, may contest for the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was not intimidated by the possibility.
“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,” she said.
She insisted that she does not fear Bello, citing her previous political contest in the state.
“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,” she added.
Also Read:
- Bandit Arrested in Kwara Accuses Officials of Supplying Vehicle, Weapons
- Court Orders Former Minister Chris Ngige Remanded in Kuje Over Alleged Corruption
Background: Kogi Central Senate Seat
Akpoti-Uduaghan is a first-term senator in the 10th National Assembly, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The district is also the political base of former governor Yahaya Bello.
She contested the seat in the 2023 general election on the platform of the PDP against Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC.
Although Sadiku-Ohere was initially declared the winner of the election, Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the outcome at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.
Tribunal Verdict and Legal Battle
In September, the election petition tribunal sitting in Lokoja nullified Sadiku-Ohere’s victory and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan the duly elected senator.
The tribunal ruled that she polled 54,074 votes, surpassing Sadiku-Ohere’s 51,291 votes, thereby overturning the earlier declaration.
The judgment marked a major political turning point in Kogi Central and solidified Akpoti-Uduaghan’s position in the Senate after months of legal contest.
PDP Crisis and Conditional Defection Remark
While reaffirming her loyalty to the PDP, the senator acknowledged that the party’s unresolved leadership crisis could affect her future political decisions.
She said that if she decides to contest again in 2027 and the PDP fails to resolve its internal problems, she may be compelled to explore other options.
“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,” she said.
Her comments have since generated fresh debate within political circles, particularly amid growing speculation about defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
