(DDM) — Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, has revealed that she has repeatedly turned down offers to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite sustained pressure from powerful political actors linked to the Presidency.
The lawmaker made the disclosure on Tuesday, December 10, 2025, during a political engagement in Abuja, where she addressed supporters and civil society actors on the state of Nigeria’s democracy and party politics.
According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the approaches have come from both high-ranking government officials and some of her colleagues within the National Assembly, who have allegedly encouraged her to abandon her current political platform.
She stated unequivocally that she has no intention of defecting to the APC, stressing that her political convictions and loyalty to her constituents cannot be traded for personal gain or political convenience.
The senator described the offers as persistent and strategic, suggesting they were part of broader efforts to weaken opposition voices ahead of future electoral cycles.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who emerged as one of the most prominent opposition figures from Kogi State in recent years, said she views defection politics as a betrayal of voter trust.
She argued that Nigerians voted for individuals based on clear party ideologies and campaign promises, not on post-election negotiations driven by power alignment.
Her remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape has been marked by a wave of defections, with several opposition lawmakers crossing over to the ruling party.
Political analysts have often attributed this trend to pressure from federal power structures, access to resources, and the desire for political survival.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, said her resolve was shaped by years of grassroots engagement and personal sacrifices made during her political journey.
She reminded her audience that her entry into the Senate followed a fiercely contested election, prolonged legal battles, and strong popular support from Kogi Central residents.
The senator emphasized that her mandate belongs to the people, not political godfathers or ruling elites.
She further warned that excessive defections weaken democratic checks and balances, turning the legislature into what she described as a “rubber-stamp institution.”
Background records show that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan first gained national attention during her advocacy for industrial revival in Kogi State, particularly around the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Her activism and outspokenness later translated into electoral success, positioning her as one of the few female senators consistently challenging entrenched political interests.
Since joining the Senate, she has been vocal on issues ranging from governance accountability to gender inclusion and constituency development.
Her refusal to defect is already generating reactions across social media, with supporters praising her courage and critics questioning the long-term political cost of her stance.
Some ruling party figures, speaking anonymously, dismissed her claims as political grandstanding, while opposition groups hailed her declaration as a rare show of principle.
As Nigeria moves closer to another election cycle, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s comments underscore growing tensions between political loyalty, survival, and democratic ideals.
Whether her defiance will inspire others or isolate her within the Senate remains to be seen.
For now, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has drawn a clear line, signaling that not all politicians are willing to cross over, even under intense pressure from power.