Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s political landscape, urging political parties to establish clear ideologies and build stronger institutions that do not allow individual politicians to overshadow them.
Speaking during a recent interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT), the lawmaker decried the current state of party politics in Nigeria, where party loyalty is fluid and driven by personal interests rather than shared principles or national vision.
“Today, who is an APC member? Who is a PDP member? Who is a Labour Party member? It’s hard to say because there is no clear party philosophy,” she stated. “People just jump from one party to another depending on their personal interests. It shouldn’t be so.”
Senator Natasha emphasized that political parties should not be used merely as platforms for contesting elections, but should function as institutions rooted in values, consistency, and development goals.
Using her personal influence in Kogi Central as an example, she said,
“Today, I am probably larger than the party in Kogi Central. That shouldn’t be the case. A party should be stronger than any individual.”
Her remarks come as concerns grow over the frequent defections among Nigerian politicians, which many believe contribute to political instability and weakened governance.
Responding to a remark made by Alhaji Badamasi, a community leader who described her as the face of political leadership in Kogi Central, she said:
“That means if I move to Zenith Party today, people in Kogi Central will follow. But that’s not how it should be.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan concluded by calling on party leaders across Nigeria to return to the drawing board and reestablish meaningful party philosophies that reflect in governance and public life.
“If someone says they are PDP, APC, or Labour, it should immediately tell you what they stand for and what kind of development they will bring if elected. I pray we get to a point where every political party is known for its beliefs, and those beliefs are seen in the lives of Nigerians.”
Her statement has sparked widespread discussion online, with many Nigerians applauding her call for ideological consistency and party discipline as a key path to strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
