RismadarVoice Reporters
November 10, 2026
The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, have renewed their disagreement over the distribution of millions of naira to constituents, with the group demanding an investigation into possible electoral misconduct.
The controversy followed the senator’s defence of her cash empowerment programme, which she said was financed through a Federal Government budgetary allocation.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, the movement’s Director-General, John Ughulu, maintained that the senator’s explanation failed to address concerns about transparency, accountability and electoral integrity.
Ughulu argued that distributing substantial amounts of cash to constituents could raise questions about the use of public office, particularly ahead of elections.
He said investigators should determine whether the payments were intended as legitimate economic assistance or designed to influence voters.
The group also challenged Akpoti-Uduaghan to clarify whether she had made similar cash distributions during her previous election campaigns.
Ughulu insisted the movement’s position was not politically motivated, arguing that the same accountability standards should apply to politicians across party lines.
He warned that the organisation would explore lawful measures if relevant authorities failed to investigate credible allegations.
However, Akpoti-Uduaghan rejected suggestions of wrongdoing, insisting that the empowerment funds were provided for in the Federal Government’s budget.
In a video circulating online, the senator said approximately 600 constituents benefited from the programme, adding that the money was publicly presented to ensure transparency.
She also expressed readiness to honour any invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), although she said she had not received one.
The senator questioned the movement’s criticism and encouraged its members to seek similar empowerment opportunities through their elected representatives.
Earlier, her media aide, Mike Idoko, explained that the decision to distribute cash rather than equipment followed feedback from previous beneficiaries.
According to him, some recipients had sold equipment provided during earlier programmes to meet immediate business needs.
Reports indicated that beneficiaries received grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million.
The dispute began after photographs and videos of cash displayed during an empowerment programme marking the senator’s third anniversary in the National Assembly circulated online.
While the OK Movement has raised allegations of possible vote-buying, no finding of electoral wrongdoing has been established against the senator.
The controversy has renewed debate over transparency in constituency empowerment programmes and the distinction between legitimate financial assistance and unlawful electoral inducements.
