Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has revealed that she has been approached multiple times by individuals from the presidency and by some of her colleagues to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
She stated that she strongly dismissed the notion, highlighting her dedication to the Peoples Democratic Party amid the current political turmoil.
Akpoti-Uduaghan shared this in a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was uploaded to YouTube on Saturday.
Speaking on 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, 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 might run for the Senate again, and discussions are presently taking place with her political party, but “it is not guaranteed.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan 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.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan 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 issues.
“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.”
