Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Defends Cash Distribution, Blames Obi-Kwankwaso Group
Kogi Central senator says empowerment funds came from Federal Government budget and challenges opposition movement to do likewise.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has responded to criticism over her distribution of cash to constituents during an event marking three years in the 10th National Assembly. The Kogi Central lawmaker rejected calls from the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement for an investigation into the giveaway, instead suggesting the group pressure their own senators in the National Assembly to fund similar programmes for their communities.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated that the funds distributed came from allocations within the Federal Government's budget and were part of a wider empowerment initiative for her constituency. She said the exercise was conducted openly and transparently.
The senator also indicated she has not yet received any formal invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission regarding the matter, but expressed her readiness to cooperate with the anti-graft agency should one arrive. The cash distribution programme sparked controversy after images and videos of the event circulated on social media platforms.
Critics characterised the giveaway as potential vote-buying, prompting the opposition Obi-Kwankwaso Movement to demand a formal probe into the source and use of funds. The senator's defence marks her first substantial public response to the allegation.
In her statement, Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasised that the empowerment scheme utilised resources explicitly budgeted for constituent welfare and development. She positioned the distribution as a legitimate use of her senatorial allocation and challenged other political movements to encourage their representatives to implement similar programmes rather than questioning hers.
No date has been set for any potential EFCC questioning, and the agency has not publicly commented on the matter.
