Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has disclosed her readiness to go head-on against former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello in any political contest.
Natasha mentioned that contrary to claims from some quarters, she is not afraid of the former governor.
She added that she has defeated him in the past politically, and she will continue to be his ‘nightmare.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated this in a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was uploaded to YouTube on Saturday.
She also indicated that she might run for the Senate again, and discussions are presently taking place with her political party, but “it is not guaranteed.”
The Kogi senator addressed the speculation concerning the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, potentially running for a senatorial seat in 2027, asserting that she did not fear 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.”
Natasha is a current first-term senator in the 10th Assembly, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District, which is also Bello’s district.
She challenged and secured the position in 2023, representing the PDP.
She defeated Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC, who had been previously announced as the winner.
Unhappy with the result, Natasha went to the election petition tribunal, aiming to overturn Ohere’s win and to be recognized as the election winner.
In September, the Lokoja tribunal annulled Ohere’s election and announced Akpoti-Uduaghan as the winner, receiving 54,074 votes, exceeding Ohere’s total of 51,291 votes.
She mentioned that if she chooses to run again, it would probably be under the PDP banner, but she might need to change parties if the PDP does not address 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.”
