Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has revealed that she has been repeatedly approached by individuals from the Presidency and some colleagues in the National Assembly to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but affirmed that she has firmly rejected their overtures.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the disclosure during an interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, posted on YouTube on Saturday.
Asked whether she might consider the APC if the PDP’s internal crisis worsens, the senator ruled it out, insisting she has no intention of joining the ruling party.
“No, I wouldn’t. I was in APC briefly at the start of everything. Why should I go and join APC?” she said. “I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery.”
She added that the approaches have been persistent, coming from high-level sources, including the Presidency and fellow senators. “I have been approached many times. I have been approached by people from the Presidency, from even my colleagues,” she said. “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.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also discussed her political future, noting that discussions are ongoing within the PDP about a possible re-election bid in 2027, although no final decision has been made.
Responding to speculation that former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello may contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027, she said she was not intimidated.
“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,” she said, adding that she had already defeated a candidate backed by Bello in 2023.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term senator in the 10th National Assembly, won the Kogi Central seat on the PDP platform after the election tribunal nullified the earlier declaration of APC candidate Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere.
She reiterated that any future re-election bid would likely be on the PDP platform but warned that a prolonged leadership crisis in the party could force her to consider other options.
