By Eshioromeh Sebastian, Abuja
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has hinted at a potential governorship bid in Kogi State, boldly declaring that she could defeat both incumbent Governor Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, if they were to run against her on a joint ticket.
The Kogi Central lawmaker made the assertion during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday, just hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) dismissed a controversial petition seeking her recall from the Senate.
Addressing the failed recall attempt, Natasha questioned the legitimacy of the petition, noting that its purported sponsors—the “Kogi Central Political Frontier”—were not a registered entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“The cover letter of the petition was from Kogi Central Political Frontier, and we ran a check with CAC, that organisation does not exist,” she said. “Can an unregistered body sponsor a petition against a senator? These are loopholes INEC must address. The petition should have been discarded from the outset.”
Though INEC acknowledged 208 signatures, Natasha insisted that even if verification had proceeded, “they would have struggled to get 500 people to attest to signing it.”
When asked if she feared another recall attempt, she dismissed concerns, expressing confidence in her constituents. “I am not worried because I trust my people. My election was apolitical – PDP, APC members, and other parties voted for me,” she stated.
The conversation shifted to her political future after she tweeted, “Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan till 2027 and beyond.” When reminded of an associate’s claim that she could defeat both Ododo and Bello if they ran together, she responded with unflinching certainty:
“Yes, I will.”
Pressed on whether she was truly that popular, she affirmed, “Yes. Very popular.” She attributed her appeal to her grassroots engagement and efforts to restore faith in governance.
“I live every day as a senator educating people, creating awareness, and rebuilding hope. A new fellowship believes leadership standards can rise—and their participation can reshape Nigeria’s politics.”
While she acknowledged that a viral “2027” poster was designed by her media team as “futuristic, ambitious, and daring,” she remained non-committal on her exact plans. “If I decide to run, God sparing our lives, it depends. I must consult my husband first,” she quipped, eliciting laughter from the host.
When directly asked if she harboured gubernatorial ambitions, Natasha emphasised pragmatism over premature declarations. “I believe in the power of now. Let’s complete this term. 2027 will depend on consult, with my husband, children, family, associates, and community. If they say ‘go ahead,’ I will.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has remained at the epicentre of political turbulence following her contentious six-month suspension by the Senate under the leadership of Godswill Akpabio. The lawmaker has now weathered a recall process she vehemently denounced as a clandestine maneuver orchestrated by the Senate President, the same figure she has publicly accused of conspiring to assassinate her.
The failed recall attempt, declared invalid by INEC on Thursday, marks yet another chapter in the escalating feud between Natasha and the upper legislative chamber’s leadership.
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