The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has defended her decision to distribute direct cash grants to small-scale entrepreneurs across her constituency following a formal petition by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate the exercise.
The political controversy erupted in Kogi State after the lawmaker disbursed financial support ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5,000,000 to local farmers, tailors, content creators, carpenters, and small business operators as part of activities marking her tenure anniversary in the National Assembly.
Addressing critics and journalists in response to allegations of financial impropriety and potential vote-buying, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that direct cash transfers were implemented based on direct requests from beneficiaries who required immediate liquidity to restock inventory or launch small commercial enterprises. She noted that previous physical empowerment drives often resulted in constituents reselling equipment at discounted prices to raise cash for immediate operational needs, making direct financial intervention a more practical choice.
However, the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has officially called on the anti-graft agency to initiate a comprehensive probe into the source and distribution framework of the funds. The political group expressed concern over the transparency of the disbursement model, alleging that cash handouts outside standard institutional frameworks raise accountability questions ahead of upcoming political contests.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan maintained that all disbursements were executed transparently through verifiable bank transfers aimed at boosting economic self-reliance across the five local government areas comprising Kogi Central. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has not yet issued an official statement regarding the petition.
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