The senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has defended her decision to distribute millions of naira to constituents during an empowerment programme, explaining that the initiative was driven by beneficiaries’ preference for direct financial support.
However, the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the exercise over allegations of vote-buying.
The senator faced criticism after photographs and videos showing the cash distribution at an event commemorating her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly surfaced on social media, sparking concerns over the appropriateness of the exercise.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday through her media aide, Mike Idoko, Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that the decision followed feedback from constituents during previous empowerment programmes.
She said, “I have given out sewing machines to many, and at the end of the day, I realised they sold them to either boost their businesses or pay rent.
“So I have decided to give cash to those who requested support to start a business or add more stock. Some will get N5m through transfer.”
The senator explained that business owners face different challenges, making direct financial assistance a more suitable approach to meeting their individual needs, including business expansion, restocking and purchasing essential production materials.
In her anniversary message, she thanked God for the opportunity to serve, describing the financial grants as part of her efforts to promote small businesses and create better economic opportunities across Kogi Central.
She stated, “We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants. From farmers and tailors to content creators and small-scale manufacturers, these entrepreneurs are building livelihoods and strengthening our local economy.
“Thus, I’m grateful to God and honoured to support local businesses with the financial assistance they need to grow,” she stated.
Reports indicated that beneficiaries received between N100,000 and N5m, depending on their business requirements. While some reportedly received N2m, N3m and N4m, others were given as much as N5m through bank transfers.
Reacting to the development, the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement condemned the programme, describing it as alleged vote-buying and demanding an investigation by the EFCC.
In a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, called on the anti-graft agency to examine the circumstances surrounding the cash distribution and prosecute anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.
The statement read, “The OK Movement strongly condemns the reported cash empowerment exercise by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The action is an apparent case of open vote-buying and a serious affront to democratic principles.
“We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding this exercise and, where evidence of wrongdoing is established, prosecute those responsible in accordance with the law.”
The group further criticised the senator, describing her conduct as a disgrace to the Senate and arguing that public officeholders should not use financial incentives to influence the electoral decisions of citizens.
It added, “This development is a total disgrace to the Nigerian Senate as an institution. Elected public officials must understand that public office is a position of responsibility, not an opportunity to compromise the electoral choices of citizens through financial inducements.
“The OK Movement will not remain silent in the face of practices that undermine our democracy. We condemn this conduct and declare our intention to mobilise every legitimate political resource within our reach to campaign against Senator Natasha’s return to the Senate.
“Nigeria deserves leaders who respect democratic values, uphold accountability and earn the confidence of the people through competence, integrity and service, not financial inducements,” Ughulu added.
