I’ve been approached to join APC but won’t defect — Natasha
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Reveals Pressure to Defect to APC, Declares Loyalty to PDP
The senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has revealed that she has been approached several times by individuals from the Presidency and some of her colleagues to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but she firmly rejected the move, www.cjsoftflix.com reports.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made this disclosure during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was posted on YouTube on Saturday.
“I Won’t Join APC” — Akpoti-Uduaghan
Responding to a question on whether the APC would be an option for her should the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsen, the senator said 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.
She added that she was not willing to follow political pressure or inducements, stressing her independence and loyalty to her current political platform.
“I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery,” she stated.
According to her, approaches from APC-linked figures have been persistent and recent.
“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 said.
2027 Senate Race: “Bring It On”
Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about the possibility of seeking re-election to the Senate in 2027, noting that discussions were ongoing within her party, although nothing had been finalised.
She dismissed rumours suggesting that she might be intimidated by the potential senatorial ambition of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
“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.
She added confidently, “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.”
Background of Her 2023 Victory
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term senator in the 10th National Assembly, won the Kogi Central seat in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the PDP.
Although Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC was initially declared winner, she challenged the result at the election petition tribunal.
In September, the tribunal sitting in Lokoja nullified Ohere’s election and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan winner with 54,074 votes, defeating Ohere who scored 51,291 votes.
PDP Crisis Could Force a Switch
While reaffirming her loyalty to the PDP, the senator admitted that unresolved leadership crises within the party could influence her future political decisions.
“If by any chance I decide to contest in 2027 and the PDP hasn’t resolved its crisis, I need just a month to choose a platform of my choice, and my people will move with me,” she said.
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