Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has called on political figures who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to return and help rebuild the party.
She made the appeal while speaking to party members during the inauguration of the PDP National Convention Committee in Abuja, stressing that the experience, institutional knowledge, and dedication of former members are crucial to repositioning the party and restoring its influence in national politics.
Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed optimism that the event could signal a fresh start for the PDP, pointing to its sharp decline in Senate representation—from 37 senators to just six—as a result of internal crises.
“When I asked colleagues why they left, they mentioned internal disputes. I’m saying to them: trust me, it’s not greener on the other side. You’re welcome back to PDP,” she said.
Chairman of the Convention Committee, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, described the moment as critical for the party’s future. He acknowledged ongoing internal disputes and legal challenges but noted that a recent appellate court ruling affirming the National Caretaker Working Committee offers a chance for renewal.
Ikpeazu, who is also an ambassador-designate, emphasized the need for unity, urging members to move past divisions.
“What PDP needs is honest reconciliation, rooted in truth, driven by sincerity, and sustained by mutual respect,” he said.