The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has disclosed that she has received several overtures to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including approaches from individuals linked to the presidency and some of her colleagues in the National Assembly.
Despite these advances, she said she has no intention of defecting, stressing that she remains loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in spite of the internal challenges currently facing the opposition party.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the revelation during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, which was published on YouTube on Saturday.
Responding to a question on whether the APC could become an alternative if issues within the PDP persist, the senator ruled it out completely. She noted that she had previously been associated with the APC but has no desire to return.
“I don’t feel any pressure to follow the crowd or yield to intimidation or persuasion,” she said, adding that she is comfortable with her current political space and at peace with her decision to remain in the PDP.
According to her, the most recent attempt to woo her into the APC came only days ago, even if it was presented jokingly. She said she politely declined, insisting she is satisfied with her party for now.
The lawmaker also hinted at the possibility of seeking re-election to the Senate in 2027, stating that discussions are ongoing within her party, although nothing has been finalised.
Addressing speculation that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello may contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she harbours no fear of facing him at the polls. She recalled that she emerged victorious in 2023 despite Bello’s influence as a sitting governor.
“If I eventually decide to run again after consulting my family, constituents, and party, and I am on the ballot against Yahaya Bello, then so be it,” she said. “I am not intimidated. I defeated his candidate even when he had all the power of incumbency.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term senator in the 10th National Assembly, represents the same senatorial district as Bello—Kogi Central.
She won the seat on the PDP platform during the 2023 general election after challenging the initial declaration of APC candidate Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere as winner. The election petition tribunal in Lokoja later nullified Ohere’s victory and awarded the seat to Akpoti-Uduaghan, who polled 54,074 votes against Ohere 51,291.
While she maintained that the PDP remains her preferred platform, the senator noted that her future political decisions would depend on how quickly the party resolves its leadership crisis.
“If I choose to contest in 2027 and the PDP fails to put its house in order, I can decide on another platform within a month—and my supporters will follow,” she said.
