According to her, the pressure to defect has been persistent, coming even from individuals within the Presidency and her colleagues in the National Assembly.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has disclosed that she has repeatedly faced pressure from top government officials and political associates to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but has firmly rejected the overtures.
Speaking during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Mic On, the lawmaker said she has no intention of returning to the APC, describing her brief stint in the party at the early stage of her political journey as a closed chapter.
According to her, the pressure to defect has been persistent, coming even from individuals within the Presidency and her colleagues in the National Assembly.
“I have been approached many times,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “Let me be honest about it. I have been approached by people from the Presidency, from even my colleagues. As recent as yesterday, one joked about it, saying they are still expecting me and would love to have me.”
She, however, maintained that she is comfortable within the PDP and sees no reason to join what she described as a political bandwagon.
“Why should I go and join the APC? Everybody is going there. I don’t have to follow the bandwagon. I don’t have to succumb to any threats or fall for any cajolery,” she said.
The senator also spoke about the gender-based challenges she has faced in politics, recalling how her identity and marital status were often used against her political ambitions.
“At a point, I was told I wasn’t from Kogi State. Even when I got married, I was faced with the question of why my husband is from Delta State and that I should go and contest in Delta,” she said.
Despite the repeated attacks and attempts to sideline her, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she had long prepared herself mentally for such challenges.
“Each time I had such challenges, I had already braced myself inwardly. I was ready for it,” she said.
She encouraged women aspiring to political office not to be discouraged by intimidation or systemic obstacles, stressing that resilience is key.
“It could be tough, but you have the strength in you,” she said, addressing women interested in public service.
When asked directly if the APC could ever be an option for her should things go sour within the PDP, the senator was emphatic.
“No. No, no, no. I wouldn’t,” she said.