Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Thousands of party members and supporters turned out across the 57 wards of the district on Wednesday to affirm her candidacy during a simultaneous exercise. The process concluded at Kahal Cinema in Okene, where party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters gathered for the final collation of results. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and journalists monitored the exercise both in the wards and at the collation centre to ensure compliance with due process.
Speaking after the collation, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed gratitude to party members for what she described as an overwhelming show of confidence and unity. “This affirmation is a reflection of the trust and confidence the people of Kogi Central have continued to place in our collective vision for progress, inclusion and development,” she said. She added that the turnout across the district demonstrated members’ commitment to strengthening democratic participation, noting that the exercise was about unity and building a stronger Kogi Central.
The lawmaker pledged to continue representing the interests of the district and maintain close engagement with communities in the zone. Supporters at the collation described the exercise as a demonstration of unity and confidence in the PDP’s leadership and prospects in Kogi Central ahead of 2027.
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a lawyer, social entrepreneur, and politician who has become one of the most prominent female figures in Kogi politics. Born in 1979, she studied law at the University of Abuja and later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dundee in Scotland. She first gained national attention through her advocacy for transparency in Nigeria’s steel sector, particularly her work on the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Her political journey began with a run for the Kogi Central senatorial seat in 2019, where she contested under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Though unsuccessful, she built a strong grassroots following. In 2023, she contested again under the PDP and won, becoming the first female senator from Kogi Central. Known for her outspoken stance on governance, inclusion, and women’s empowerment, Akpoti-Uduaghan has positioned herself as a reform-minded leader with a focus on community development and accountability.
Her re-emergence as PDP’s candidate for 2027 signals continuity in her political influence and sets the stage for another closely watched contest in Kogi Central.
