Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has defended cash gifts to constituents during an empowerment program, saying the intervention reflected the beneficiaries’ preference for direct financial assistance.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, OK Movement, however, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the exercise over alleged vote-buying.
The senator came under criticism after pictures and videos of the cash distribution at an event marking her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly circulated on social media, raising questions about the propriety and purpose of the handouts.
In a statement by her media aide, Mike Idoko, she said her decision was informed by feedback from earlier empowerment exercises. “I have given out sewing machines to many, and at the end of the day, I realized 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,” she said.
She noted that entrepreneurs face different operational realities, which makes direct cash assistance a practical option for needs ranging from business expansion and stock replenishment to the purchase of essential production materials.
In her anniversary message, she thanked God for the opportunity to serve and described the business grants as part of her commitment to strengthening local enterprises and improving economic opportunities in Kogi Central.
“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 honored to support local businesses with the financial assistance they need to grow,” she said.
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Beneficiaries reportedly received grants ranging from N100,000 to N5m, depending on their business needs, with some getting N2m, N3m and N4m, and others up to N5m through bank transfers.
Condemning the program as alleged vote-buying, the OK Movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, said in a statement that the EFCC should investigate the circumstances surrounding the exercise and prosecute anyone found culpable.
He also threatened to mobilize political resources against the senator’s return to the National Assembly, accusing her of undermining democratic principles by publicly distributing millions of naira to constituents.
“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 EFCC to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding this exercise and, where evidence of wrongdoing is established, prosecute those responsible in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
The group described the lawmaker’s conduct as a disgrace to the Senate, insisting that elected officials should not use financial inducements to sway citizens’ electoral choices.
“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 mobilize every legitimate political resource within our reach to campaign against Senator Natasha’s return to the Senate,” it said.
“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.
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