RismadarVoice Reporters
November 5, 2026
The Kogi Central Progressive Elites have cautioned the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement against involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in partisan disputes following calls for an investigation into Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s cash empowerment programme.
The group described the demand as politically motivated, alleging that it was intended to undermine the senator’s political standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the group’s President, Abdullahi Omeiza, expressed concern over what he described as attempts to use anti-corruption allegations to advance political interests.
Omeiza maintained that accountability remained essential to democratic governance but insisted that allegations against public officials should be supported by credible evidence and subjected to due process.
He argued that distributing financial assistance to constituents did not automatically constitute vote-buying, stressing that the circumstances surrounding such programmes must be properly examined.
The controversy followed a cash empowerment exercise organised by Akpoti-Uduaghan to mark her third anniversary in the Senate.
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Beneficiaries reportedly received grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million to support businesses and other economic activities.
The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, through its Director-General, John Ughulu, subsequently called on the EFCC to investigate the exercise, alleging that the distribution raised concerns about possible electoral inducement.
The movement also announced plans to mobilise political support against the senator’s return to the National Assembly in 2027.
Responding, Omeiza urged the movement to submit any evidence of wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities rather than relying on public accusations.
He maintained that anti-corruption institutions should operate independently and investigate allegations without political interference.
The group also insisted that residents of Kogi Central had the democratic right to assess their representative’s performance and determine her political future through elections.
Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has defended the cash grants, explaining that beneficiaries preferred direct financial assistance to equipment distributed during previous empowerment programmes.
According to the senator, some earlier recipients sold donated equipment to raise business capital or meet immediate financial needs.
She maintained that the latest intervention was intended to support small businesses and improve economic opportunities across her constituency.
The competing positions have renewed debate over transparency, constituency empowerment programmes and the distinction between legitimate financial assistance and unlawful electoral inducement.
There has been no publicly confirmed finding that the programme constituted vote-buying.
The Kogi group urged political organisations to focus on issue-based campaigns while allowing relevant institutions to independently examine any credible allegations.
