The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her cash distribution programme, describing the exercise as alleged vote-buying.
The group also vowed to deploy its political resources to oppose the lawmaker’s return to the Senate, accusing her of using financial inducements to influence constituents.
The Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ughulu, made the call in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, urging the anti-graft agency to establish the circumstances surrounding the cash distribution and prosecute anyone found guilty of wrongdoing.
“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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding this exercise and, where evidence of wrongdoing is established, prosecute those responsible in accordance with the law.”
Ughulu described the programme as an embarrassment to the Senate, arguing that public office holders should not deploy money to sway the electoral decisions of citizens.
“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.
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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 mobilise every legitimate political resource within our reach to campaign against Senator Natasha’s return to the Senate.
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.
The controversy followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s decision to give millions of naira to constituents during an empowerment event commemorating her third year in the 10th National Assembly.
The senator, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, defended the initiative on Wednesday after images and videos showing stacks of cash at the event attracted widespread attention on social media.
Responding through her media aide, Mike Idoko, the lawmaker said beneficiaries’ preferences informed her decision to provide cash assistance instead of business equipment.
She explained that feedback from earlier empowerment programmes showed that some recipients preferred financial support because of their immediate business requirements.
The development has further stirred discussions about the nature of constituency empowerment initiatives by elected representatives, particularly the practice of distributing cash directly to beneficiaries.