Natasha Urges Kogi Residents To Shift Rivalry From Politics To Development

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has urged residents of Kogi State to abandon divisive politics and redirect their energies toward development, calling for a shift to healthy rivalry focused on industrial growth and economic expansion across the state.

The senator made the appeal in Idah, in Kogi East Senatorial District, while receiving defectors from various political parties into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The event drew party leaders, supporters, and notable political figures, including Idris Hussein, popularly known as Idris HK, an aspirant for the Kogi East Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

Addressing the gathering, the senator decried the growing culture of political hostility and social media confrontations, describing it as counterproductive to the state’s progress. She urged the three senatorial districts, Kogi East, Kogi Central, and Kogi West, to embrace a new form of rivalry rooted in measurable development outcomes.

“Rather than fighting each other or engaging in social media banter, let Kogi Central ask: how many industries do we have? Kogi East, how many companies? Kogi West, what have we built?” she said.

“That is the competition that will grow Kogi State and Nigeria at large.”

The lawmaker noted that healthy competition, when properly channeled, can stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and improve living standards.

She added that shifting focus from political differences to tangible achievements would position Kogi as a model for subnational development.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also stressed the importance of unity in achieving sustainable progress, noting that political inclusiveness, such as welcoming defectors into the PDP,reflects a broader commitment to collective advancement rather than partisan division.

She reiterated that the future of Kogi State lies not in sentiment-driven rivalry, but in deliberate efforts to build industries, create jobs, and empower communities across all districts.