OK Movement, Natasha Renew Clash Over Constituency Cash Giveaway

The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have renewed their disagreement over the lawmaker's cash empowerment programme, with the group insisting that the exercise raises concerns about electoral integrity and accountability.

The latest exchange followed Akpoti-Uduaghan's criticism of the movement for calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate her distribution of millions of naira to constituents.

The senator had maintained that the funds were provided through a Federal Government budgetary allocation and insisted that she would honour any invitation from the anti-graft agency to explain the source and distribution of the money.

However, the Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu, said the senator's explanation did not address the concerns raised by the group.

Ughulu argued that elected public officials should be regularly reminded of their constitutional responsibilities, ethical standards and obligations to ensure accountability.

He said the public distribution of large sums of money by an elected official raised questions about possible abuse of office and the integrity of the electoral process.

According to him, if investigations establish that the money was distributed to influence voters ahead of an election, the exercise could amount to advance vote-buying under relevant electoral laws.

The movement also challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan to explain whether similar cash distributions featured in her electoral campaigns, arguing that the circumstances surrounding her emergence into the National Assembly deserved scrutiny.

Ughulu dismissed suggestions that the group's criticism was politically motivated, insisting that its position on electoral accountability applied equally to politicians across party lines, including candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

He warned that the movement would explore lawful means of demanding accountability if the EFCC or other relevant agencies failed to investigate credible allegations.

The group also maintained that the 2027 general election should be determined by voters at polling units, stressing the importance of transparency, proper documentation of results and protection of electoral rights.

Responding to the criticism, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the cash empowerment programme was funded through a Federal Government budgetary provision and that she personally presented the money to beneficiaries to ensure transparency.

She disclosed that approximately 600 people benefited from the exercise, adding that the funds were displayed at the venue before distribution.

The senator also questioned the movement's demand for an investigation, suggesting that its representatives in the National Assembly should instead pursue similar empowerment opportunities for their constituents.

The controversy followed the circulation of photographs and videos showing bundles of cash at an empowerment programme organised by the lawmaker to mark her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly.

Beneficiaries reportedly received grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5m, depending on their business needs.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier explained that the decision to distribute cash rather than business equipment was informed by feedback from previous empowerment exercises, during which some beneficiaries reportedly sold donated equipment to meet other financial needs.

The disagreement has further intensified public debate over the use of constituency empowerment programmes, the transparency of public funds and the distinction between legitimate economic support and electoral inducement.