I’ve been approached to hitch APC however received’t defect — Natasha

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has revealed that she has been approached a number of occasions by people from the Presidency and by a few of her colleagues to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Nonetheless, she mentioned she firmly rejected the concept, emphasising her dedication to the Peoples Democratic Party regardless of ongoing political disaster.

Akpoti-Uduaghan disclosed this in a current interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was posted on YouTube on Saturday.

Requested if the APC was an choice ought to issues not go effectively within the PDP, she replied, “No, I wouldn’t. I used to be in APC briefly initially of all the pieces. Why ought to I am going and be part of APC?

“I don’t must observe the bandwagon. I don’t must succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery.

“I’ve been approached many occasions. I’ve been approached by folks from the Presidency, from even my colleagues. Whilst lately as yesterday, one joked about it: ‘We’re nonetheless anticipating, we might like to have you ever.’ And I’m like, I like my house, I like my peace right here. I’m okay with my social gathering now, so I don’t suppose I’ve to hitch the APC.”

She additionally expressed that she could vie for the Senate once more, and that dialog is at present ongoing together with her political social gathering, however “it’s not sure.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan additionally spoke about rumours that the fast previous Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, would contest for a senatorial seat in 2027, saying she was not afraid of him.

“If by any probability I make up my thoughts after due session with my household, constituents and political social gathering, and I’m on the poll in opposition to former Governor Yahaya Bello in 2027, then I’d say, convey it on.

“I’m not frightened of Yahaya Bello. I’m his nightmare. He was a sitting governor and wielded all of the powers at his disposal in opposition to me, and I defeated his candidate in 2023.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan is a serving first-term senator within the tenth Meeting, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, the identical district Bello hails from.

She contested and received the seat in 2023 on the platform of the PDP.

She received in opposition to Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC, who was earlier declared winner.

Dissatisfied with the end result, Natasha approached the election petition tribunal, in search of to nullify Ohere’s victory and to be declared winner of the election.

In September, the tribunal sitting in Lokoja nullified Ohere’s election and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan the winner, with 54,074 votes, surpassing Ohere, who garnered 51,291 votes.

She additionally mentioned that if she decides to contest once more, it could almost definitely be on the platform of the PDP, however she could possibly be compelled to modify events if the PDP fails to resolve its management disaster.

“If by any probability I determine to contest in 2027 and the PDP hasn’t resolved its disaster, I would like only a month to decide on a platform of my alternative, and my folks will transfer with me.”