Senator Natasha Condemns Alleged Arrest of PDP Members by APC in Ekiti Governor Race

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Ado‑Ekiti—Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, condemned the alleged arrest of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Ekiti State by the All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of the June 20 governorship election. She urged the government to release the detained individuals immediately.

Speaking at the PDP mega rally held over the weekend in Ado‑Ekiti, Senator Natasha criticized politics driven by intimidation and bitterness as detrimental to democracy. She called for parties and candidates to compete on the basis of their manifestos and ideas instead.

The PDP has accused the APC of intimidating and arresting its members under the pretext of “Form K” to disenfranchise them before the election. The APC has dismissed the accusation as laughable, asserting that it does not need manipulation to win the polls.

“I would just call on the government to please release those people arrested under our party. I do not believe politics should be practiced on the grounds of bitterness,” Natasha said. “I believe politics should be such that candidates will be able to campaign on their well‑written manifestos and allow the public to resonate with them on their ideals or philosophies. That’s how I believe politics should be practiced.” She added, “I trust that the upcoming elections, which will be on the 20th of June 2026, will be fair and credible, hopefully.”

When asked about concerns that Nigeria might be drifting toward a one‑party state amid growing defections to the ruling party, Senator Natasha dismissed such fears. She maintained that the country’s democratic system remains vibrant and competitive.

The lawmaker urged Nigerians not to entertain fears of a one‑party system, noting that democracy thrives on competition and that other political parties should continue to organise and strengthen themselves. She acknowledged that politics in Nigeria can be intense and fiercely contested, but stressed that the quest for power must not come at the expense of democratic principles and citizens’ rights.

Natasha also described the Ekiti PDP gubernatorial candidate, Wole Oluyede, as a competent candidate who would rescue the state from the “claws of slavery,” urging residents to vote for the party for quality representation.

“I don’t believe Nigeria is moving towards a one‑party state. I don’t think so. When I joined the Senate in November 2023, there were about 38 PDP Senators, but today, we are just a few. A lot of our members decamped to the ruling party, even though some of them were later disappointed because they were promised automatic tickets and other incentives. As for me, I have secured my candidacy to be on the ballot again in 2027 for the same seat in Kogi Central. I know my party is well grounded, and my structure, as well as structures around the country, are all up and doing. I don’t think we’re going to have a one‑party state. People shouldn’t live in fear like that. I also encourage every other party, including the newly registered parties, to do things according to the books and stay guarded. Politics is politics, and people will not be shy of crushing the weaker ones. It’s a tough game. We play politics in Nigeria in a very brash way. Times are tough, and I think it’s more along the analogy that power is taken, not given. So people do almost anything to retain power or acquire power. All I want to say is that politics should be void of violence, intimidation, harassment and the use of force, whether it is state force or the judiciary or whatever. It shouldn’t be so. The people should be allowed to elect who they believe is best to represent them.”

In his remarks, the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, alleged that the incumbent governor was relying heavily on President Bola Tinubu’s influence to secure re‑election rather than campaigning on his achievements in office. He urged the President to allow the people of Ekiti State to freely choose their next governor.

“The governor is hanging on to the President to be able to win this election instead of the other way around. My message to the President is always the same thing. You don’t need this guy; the guy needs you, that’s why he’s running to you. Let the President actually decree, which he can do, to say, ‘I’m leaving Ekiti open for the best government.’ The President cannot afford the backlash of supporting a failed government. He doesn’t need it,” Oluyede added.

Other prominent personalities at the event included the Director‑General of the Campaign Council, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe; Ekiti PDP governorship candidate in the 2022 election, Bisi Kolawole; Senator Duro Fasuyi of the 8th Senate; former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and former Acting Governor, Tunji Odeyemi; National Women Leader of the PDP and prominent politician from Ogun State, Professor Adenike Ogunseye; former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Kola Oluwawole, among others.

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