SENATOR Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has disclosed that she has repeatedly resisted efforts by individuals linked to the Presidency and some of her colleagues to persuade her to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
News Point Nigeria reports that the first-term senator made the revelation during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast, hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, which was published on YouTube on Saturday.
Speaking candidly on her political future and party loyalty, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had no intention of joining the APC, stressing that she remained committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite the internal crisis currently rocking the opposition party.
“No, I wouldn’t,” she said when asked if the APC was an option should the PDP’s crisis persist. “I was in the APC briefly at the very start of everything. Why should I go and join APC?”
She insisted that her political decisions were guided by personal conviction rather than pressure or political inducements.
“I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery,” the senator said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that the overtures from the ruling party were persistent and came from different quarters, including individuals close to the Presidency.
“I have been approached many times. I have been approached by people from the Presidency and even by my colleagues. As recently as yesterday, one of them joked about it, saying, ‘We’re still expecting, we would love to have you,’” she disclosed.
She, however, said she had consistently turned down the invitations, citing her comfort and sense of belonging within her current political space.
“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 added.
The senator also spoke on her political plans ahead of the 2027 general elections, revealing that discussions were ongoing within the PDP regarding a possible second term in the Senate, although no final decision had been taken.
“I may vie for the Senate again, and those conversations are ongoing with my party, but it is not certain,” she said.
Addressing speculation that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, might contest for the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed any suggestion that she was intimidated by the former governor.
“If by any chance I make up my mind after due consultation with my family, my constituents and my political party, and I am on the ballot against former Governor Yahaya Bello in 2027, then I would say, bring it on,” she declared.
“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 currently serves in the 10th National Assembly and represents the same senatorial district as Bello. She won the seat in the 2023 general election on the platform of the PDP after a prolonged legal battle.
Initially, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC winner of the election. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the outcome at the election petition tribunal.
In September, the tribunal sitting in Lokoja nullified Ohere’s victory and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan the rightful winner, having polled 54,074 votes, ahead of Ohere’s 51,291 votes.
Despite reaffirming her loyalty to the PDP, the senator warned that unresolved leadership disputes within the party could influence her political calculations ahead of 2027.
“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.