Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has revealed that she has been repeatedly approached by individuals linked to the presidency and some lawmakers to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but insists she has no intention of doing so.

Speaking during an interview on Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye and shared on YouTube over the weekend, the senator said the overtures from ruling party allies were neither welcome nor convincing.

“I’ve been approached many times by people from the presidency and even by my colleagues,” Akpoti-Uduaghan said. “Just as recently as yesterday, someone joked, ‘We’re still expecting you; we would love to have you.’ But I love my space and my peace here. I’m okay with my party, so I don’t think I have to join the APC.”

The lawmaker, who had a brief stint in the APC earlier in her political career, dismissed suggestions that she might return to the ruling party, despite the internal challenges currently facing the PDP.

She also addressed speculation about her political future, noting that while discussions were ongoing about seeking a second term in the Senate, she had not formally declared her intention to contest in 2027. According to her, any decision would be made after consultations with her family, constituents and party leadership.

Ms Matasha further responded to rumours linking her political trajectory to former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, who is believed to be eyeing a Senate seat. She said she would not be deterred by his ambitions and would contest freely if both emerged candidates in the 2027 election.

Natasha vs Akpabio

Ms Matasha recently accused Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment. Consequently, Mr Akpabio, last week, filed a N200 billion defamation suit against her, accusing her of making false claims of against him.

Ms Natasha confirmed receipt of the suit two Fridays ago via her social media pages, describing it as a chance to finally prove her allegations – after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions declined to entertain her petition earlier in the year.

“Today, 5th December 2025, I received the newly instituted ₦200bn suit against me by Senator Godswill Akpabio. I now have a chance to prove how I was sexually harassed and how my refusal to give in to his demands unleashed a series of unprovoked and unprecedented attacks on my person. See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she wrote on her handles.

READ ALSO: Sexual harassment: Natasha mocks Akpabio in satirical ‘apology’ letter

The Senate Committee had earlier dismissed her petition, ruling it inadmissible. Committee Chairman, Mr Neda Imasuen, on March 5, said the petition breached Senate rules, specifically Order 40(4), which prohibits a senator from presenting a petition they personally signed. He also noted that the allegations were already subjects of litigation.

“That petition is dead on arrival,” Imasuen declared. “No senator may present a petition signed by him or herself. What I have seen amounts to allegations already before the court.”

He added that the committee had received legal documents cautioning the Senate against considering the matter. “They presented a court order attempting to stop this committee. This is unacceptable,” he said.

At the same plenary, Mr Akpabio publicly denied ever harassing Akpoti-Uduaghan – or any woman.

“At no time did I sexually harass Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan,” he said. “I was raised by a single mother and have the highest regard for women. I have four beautiful daughters. I have never harassed any woman and will never do so.”

He urged Nigerians to allow the courts determine the matter rather than jump to conclusions.

The allegations

Natasha had accused Senate President Akpabio of sexually harassing her in Akwa Ibom State. She claimed that her refusal to give in to Mr Akpabio’s sexual advances had led to her persecution, including the Senate president’s blockage of her motion for Ajaokuta Steel Company.

“My issue with Akpabio started on the 8th of December, 2023, when my husband and I attended a pre-birthday invitation extended by the Senate President at his residence in Uyo. We had earlier gone to his house at Ikot-Ekpene, and he held my hand and said he wanted to show me around his house. Just the three of us, my husband and him. I noticed he hastened his pace while still holding my hand, and he got to this particular sitting room,” she told Arise TV last week.

“He asked ‘do you like my house?’ and I replied ‘of course yes,’ and he said, ‘now that you are a Senator, you are going to create time for us to spend quality time here and you will enjoy it.’

“Later, on the floor of the Senate, I attempted to raise a motion regarding corrupt practices at the Ajaokuta Steel Company. I listed this motion five times, and it was only on the sixth occasion that it appeared on the order paper. When I approached the Senate President to enquire why my motion had been repeatedly stepped down, he told me ‘Natasha, I am the Chief Presiding officer of the Senate. You can enjoy a whole lot if you take care of me and make me happy.’ At that point, I told him that I would pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Following the development, the Senate ethics committee invited Natasha to its sitting, for which Natasha did not attend.

The Senate later suspended Ms Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Surprisingly, the verdict was read by Senate President, Mr Akpabio, who is the principal accuser in the sexual harassment allegation. This, according to Document Women, should never be so. In other nations, legislators accused of sexual harassment stepped down to avoid interfering with the cases.

READ ALSO: Flashback: I slapped Akpabio for sexually harassing me – Ex-NDDC MD

“We are therefore calling for Senate President Akpabio to step down to allow for an independent investigation. Our legislative processes should not be used as tools to silence those seeking justice. We stand in solidarity with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and all women who bravely come forward with similar allegations,” the Document Women said.