Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has disclosed that she has been repeatedly approached by figures linked to the Presidency and by some fellow lawmakers to switch allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
She said she turned down the overtures, stressing that she remains loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party despite the ongoing political challenges.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the revelation during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was published on YouTube on Saturday.
Asked 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, from 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 expressed that she may vie for the Senate again, and that conversation is currently ongoing with her political party, but “it is not certain.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about rumours that the immediate past Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, would contest for a senatorial seat in 2027, saying she was not afraid of 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 serving first-term senator in the 10th Assembly, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, the same district Bello hails from.
She contested and won the seat in 2023 on the platform of the PDP.
She won against Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC, who was earlier declared winner.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Natasha approached the election petition tribunal, seeking to nullify Ohere’s victory and to be declared winner of the election.