Presidency, Lawmakers Pressured Me to Join APC, but I Refused — Senator Natasha
By Passman Akpos
The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has revealed that she has been repeatedly approached by individuals linked to the Presidency and some of her colleagues in the National Assembly to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but said she has firmly rejected the overtures.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the disclosure during an interview on Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, which was posted on YouTube on Saturday.
Responding to a question on whether joining the APC could be an option should the internal crisis within the PDP worsen, the senator categorically ruled it out, saying she had no intention of returning to 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.”
The first-term lawmaker disclosed that the approaches had been persistent and came from influential quarters, including the Presidency, noting that even her colleagues in the Senate had tried to persuade her.
“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.”
Speaking on her political future, Akpoti-Uduaghan said conversations were ongoing within the PDP regarding a possible re-election bid in 2027, although she stressed that no final decision had been taken.
She also dismissed speculations that a potential return of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to contest the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2027 would intimidate her.
“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 the 2023 election.
Akpoti-Uduaghan won the Kogi Central senatorial seat on the PDP platform after the election tribunal nullified the earlier declaration of APC candidate Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere. She is currently serving her first term in the 10th National Assembly.
While reaffirming her loyalty to the PDP, the senator cautioned that a prolonged leadership crisis within the party could compel her to consider other political options.
