- Says I love my peace, space
BY VICTOR BUORO – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan says no amount of pressure or coercion from the Presidency and fellow lawmakers will make her dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Senator representing Kogi Central disclosed despite repeated overtures from individuals in the Presidency and even some National Assembly colleagues, she will remain steadfast and continuously reject their moves.
Speaking during an interview on Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, posted on YouTube on Saturday, Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said she has no intention of joining the ruling party.
On whether the APC presents a viable option for her given the internal crisis rocking the PDP, Senator Natasha firml replied firmly, “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.”
Further claiming that the approaches have remained persistent and are coming from very high quarters, including the Presidency, she hinted that even fellow senators have attempted to persuade her to dump the PDP.
According to her: “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.”
Also addressing issues around her political future, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said discussions were ongoing within the PDP about a possible re-election bid in 2027, but maintained that nothing concrete has been decided.
On speculations that immediate past Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is seriously eyeing the Kogi Central senatorial seat come 2027, the lawmaker said there is no cause for alarm and she is not in anyway intimidated by such news.
Hear her response: “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.”
Pointing out that she had defeated a candidate backed by Bello in the 2023 election, Senator Natasha said if she contests again, it would likely be on the PDP platform, but warned that prolonged leadership crisis in the party could force her to explore other options.
A first-term senator in the 10th Assembly, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, won the Kogi Central seat on the platform of the PDP after the election tribunal nullified the earlier declaration of APC candidate, Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere as the winner.
