The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has disclosed that she has repeatedly been approached by individuals linked to the Presidency and by some of her colleagues to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, but said she has consistently turned down the offers.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the revelation during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, which was published on YouTube on Saturday. She said her decision was guided by personal conviction and her current commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party, despite the internal challenges facing the opposition party.
Responding to questions on whether the APC could become an option if the PDP’s crisis persists, the lawmaker ruled it out, recalling her brief association with the ruling party in the past. She said she was not prepared to abandon her political principles or yield to pressure or inducements.
According to her, approaches from the APC have continued, including recent informal remarks from colleagues expressing interest in her joining the party. However, she said she remains comfortable with her current political space and has no intention of defecting at this time.
The senator also said discussions were ongoing about the possibility of her seeking re-election to the Senate, although no final decision had been taken. She noted that any move would be made after consultations with her family, constituents and party leaders.
Addressing speculation that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello may contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was unfazed by the prospect. She recalled her victory in 2023, when she defeated the candidate backed by Bello despite the former governor’s influence at the time.
“If it comes to that, I am ready,” she said, adding that she was not intimidated by Bello, whom she described as familiar with her political strength.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term senator in the 10th National Assembly, represents the same senatorial district as Bello. She won the seat in 2023 on the PDP platform after the election tribunal in Lokoja nullified the earlier declaration of APC candidate Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere and returned her as the duly elected candidate with 54,074 votes.
She said that if she decides to contest again, her preference would be to remain with the PDP, but warned that prolonged leadership disputes within the party could force her to consider other options.
“If the PDP fails to resolve its crisis and I choose to run in 2027, I would only need a short time to settle on another platform, and my supporters will move with me,” she said.
