…says she leads, APC follows

By John Alechenu, Abuja

Public affairs analyst, Bashir Haroon, has said Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan deserves a second term in office, citing what he described as her record of representation and constituency projects in Kogi Central.

Haroon stated this in Abuja on Thursday while assessing the lawmaker’s performance since she assumed office as representative of Kogi Central in the Senate.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was sworn in as Kogi Central senator in November 2023 after the Court of Appeal affirmed her election following a legal challenge to the outcome of the February 2023 poll.

Haroon said the senator had demonstrated what he described as a people-oriented approach to representation.

According to him, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities in the district included interventions in water supply, street lighting, education, healthcare, markets and other community projects.

He said her activities in human capital development were also notable, citing programmes involving ICT training, drone technology, vocational skills and entrepreneurship.

“For years, youths in Kogi Central were only useful during elections — as thugs and foot soldiers, dumped after victory. Natasha changed that narrative,” he said.

Haroon said the senator’s empowerment and skills-development initiatives had provided young people with opportunities beyond political participation.

He added that her approach had contributed to what he described as increased competition among political actors over constituency development.

“Today, even the ruling APC is trailing her. In trying to catch up with Natasha’s projects, her empowerment programmes and her regular touch with constituents, the party in power has been forced to do more,” he said.

Haroon said the situation had created what he described as a new emphasis on performance in Kogi Central.

He also commended Akpoti-Uduaghan for what he described as her approach to political disagreements, saying she had pursued challenges through legal and constitutional channels.

“As 2027 approaches, the case for her return is developmental. A second term means more bills that matter, more infrastructure, more jobs for young people and a fearless voice for Kogi on the national stage,” he said.

Haroon argued that continuity in office would allow the senator to build on projects and programmes already initiated in the district.

“If she achieved this much in under three years despite distractions, a full second term without disruption will do more,” he said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan declared her intention to seek re-election in April 2026 and subsequently emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the Kogi Central senatorial election.

Haroon said her proposed return to the Senate would, in his view, sustain what he described as a focus on constituency development and accountability.