The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has disclosed that she has been approached repeatedly by individuals linked to the Presidency and by some of her colleagues to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
She, however, said she has firmly rejected all such overtures, stressing that she remains committed to the PDP despite the internal crisis currently facing the opposition party. Ejes Gist News reports that the senator made the disclosure during a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
She said discussions are ongoing within her party, but no final decision has been made. “APC Is Not an Option for Me” — Natasha Responding to questions on whether the APC could be an alternative platform if the PDP’s internal challenges persist, Akpoti-Uduaghan dismissed the idea outright. “No, I wouldn’t,” she said. “I was in APC briefly at the start of everything. Why should I go and join APC?” She explained that her political decisions are guided by conviction rather than pressure or political convenience. “I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery,” she added. Alleged Pressure From Presidency and Lawmakers Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that the attempts to lure her into the APC have been persistent and came from different quarters, including individuals she described as being from the Presidency and some of her colleagues in the National Assembly. “I have been approached many times,” she said. “I have been approached by people from the Presidency, from even my colleagues.” She disclosed that the most recent attempt occurred only days before the interview. “Even as recently as yesterday, one joked about it: ‘We’re still expecting, we would love to have you,’” she said. According to the senator, she made it clear that she was comfortable where she is politically. “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 stated. Possible 2027 Re-Election Bid Akpoti-Uduaghan also spoke about her political future, confirming that discussions are ongoing within the PDP regarding a possible re-election bid in 2027, although no final decision has been made. She said consultations were still in progress and that her next move would be determined after engaging her family, constituents, and party stakeholders. While she did not confirm definitively whether she would seek a second term in the Senate, she noted that the option remains open. 
