By Uche Amunike
Senator representing Kogi Central at the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti, has stated that individuals from the presidency, as well as some of her colleagues, have approached her, multiple times to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but she has however firmly turned down their overtures, insisting that she is highly committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite their ongoing political crisis.
She made this disclosure in a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, and posted on YouTube, Saturday.
Reacting to the question of APC being an option for her if things do not go well in the PDP, she firmly replied it won’t, because she was briefly in the APC at the beginning and wouldn’t go back now.
Her words: ‘No, I wouldn’t. I was in a PC briefly at the start of everything. Why should I go and join APC? I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery.’
‘I have been approached many times. I have been approached by people from the presidency, from even my colleagues. Even as recently as yesterday, talked about it: ‘We are 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 further expressed that she may run for the Senate again, confirming that the conversation is presently ongoing with her political party but it is not certain.
Senator Natasha Akpoti further discussed the ongoing rumors about the immediate past Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, having the intention to contest for a senatorial seat in 2027. She reiterated that she was not afraid of him and would face him headlong if she finally decides to run for Senate again.
Her words: ‘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.’
‘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.’
Senator Natasha Akpoti and Yahaya Bello are both from the same senatorial district in the Tenth Assembly, where she represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, same district as Yahaya Bello.
Recall that she contested and won the seat in 2023 under the aegis of the PDP and won against Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the APC who was earlier declared winner. Because she was not satisfied with the outcome, Natasha approached the Election Petition Tribunal, seeking to nullify Ohere’s victory and be declared winner of the election.
In September, however, the election was nullified by the tribunal, while Natasha Akpoti was declared winner with 54,074 votes, flooring Ohere who got 51,291 votes
She further stated that if she decides to contest again, it would most likely be under the aegis of the PDP. However, if the PDP fails to resolve their leadership crisis, she might be forced to switch parties.
She stated: ‘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.’
