The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Kogi State, Muhammed Sanni Gambo, has thrown the party’s full weight behind Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing her as the pride of the party and the people of the state.
Gambo made the declaration following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s call for adequate funding to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company during a recent budget defence session at the National Assembly, an intervention that reportedly led to a heated exchange with the chairman of the Senate committee, Patrick Ndubueze.
In a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja, the PDP chairman commended the senator’s courage and commitment, noting that her stance on Ajaokuta Steel reflected the long-standing aspirations of the people of Kogi State.
“You are our pride, and we stand with you,” Gambo said, reaffirming the party’s solidarity with the senator.
He urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to remain steadfast and focused on her legislative duties, cautioning her against being distracted by what he described as attempts to undermine her genuine efforts to attract development to the state.
According to Gambo, the senator’s passion for the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company predates her time in office, stressing that it was a central promise of her campaign to restore the once-thriving industrial complex.
“The senator’s passion for Ajaokuta Steel is not new; it is a promise she made during her campaign. She is only standing by her word to the people,” he said.
Gambo added that the revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company would have far-reaching economic benefits, including job creation, industrial growth and increased revenue for both Kogi State and the nation at large.
He reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to supporting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s efforts at the National Assembly and called on all stakeholders to rally behind initiatives aimed at reviving the steel company and boosting Nigeria’s industrial base.
