“An Apparent Case Of Open Vote-Buying” — OK Movement Petitions EFCC Over Natasha’s ₦5m Cash Grants, Senator Defends Empowerment

The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over the distribution of cash grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million to constituents in Kogi Central, describing the exercise as an apparent case of vote-buying ahead of the 2027 general election.

The movement accused the senator of using financial inducements that could influence voters’ political choices and threatened to mobilise against her re-election to the National Assembly.

However, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defended the exercise, insisting that the money was intended to support small-business owners and entrepreneurs who preferred direct financial assistance to equipment.

The controversy followed the circulation of photographs and videos showing the senator distributing large sums of money during an empowerment programme organised to mark her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly on November 2, 2026.

The programme targeted small-scale entrepreneurs engaged in agriculture, tailoring, content creation, carpentry and manufacturing, among other businesses.

Beneficiaries received grants ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million, depending on their business needs, with some reportedly receiving ₦2 million, ₦3 million and ₦4 million, while others were given up to ₦5 million through bank transfers.

The public distribution of cash generated mixed reactions on social media, with critics questioning the timing of the programme and its implications for electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, November 4, the National Director-General of the OK Movement, John Ozyl Ughulu, condemned the exercise and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the distribution.

“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,” the statement read.

The movement urged the EFCC to determine whether the exercise violated any applicable law and take appropriate action if evidence of wrongdoing was established.

“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 stated.

He maintained that elected public officials should uphold democratic principles and avoid activities capable of creating the impression that financial benefits were being used to influence the electoral choices of citizens.

The movement further described the distribution as damaging to the image of the National Assembly, arguing that public office should be exercised with accountability and respect for democratic values.

“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,” the statement added.

Ughulu also announced the movement’s intention to campaign against Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate in the 2027 general election.

“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,” he said.

The movement insisted that political leaders should earn public confidence through their performance, integrity and commitment to service rather than financial inducements.

“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.

However, responding to the criticism, Akpoti-Uduaghan explained that the decision to distribute cash grants followed feedback from beneficiaries of previous empowerment programmes.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by her media aide, Mike Idoko, the senator said she had previously distributed sewing machines to constituents but discovered that some beneficiaries sold the equipment to raise capital for their businesses or meet urgent financial obligations.

According to her, the experience informed her decision to provide direct financial assistance to individuals who specifically requested money to establish or expand their businesses.

“I have given out sewing machines to many, and at the end of the day, I realised they sold them to either boost their businesses or pay rent.

“So I have decided to give cash to those who requested support to start a business or add more stock. Some will get ₦5m through transfer,” she explained.

The senator maintained that small-business owners faced different operational challenges and that direct financial support allowed beneficiaries to address their individual needs.

She noted that some entrepreneurs required additional stock, while others needed funds for equipment, production materials and business expansion.

Akpoti-Uduaghan consequently defended the programme as a practical intervention designed to strengthen existing businesses and create economic opportunities in Kogi Central.

In her anniversary message, the lawmaker expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve her constituents and described the financial assistance as part of her commitment to economic empowerment.

“We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants. From farmers and tailors to content creators and small-scale manufacturers, these entrepreneurs are building livelihoods and strengthening our local economy.

“Thus, I’m grateful to God and honoured to support local businesses with the financial assistance they need to grow,” she stated.

The senator maintained that the grants reflected the diverse financial needs of entrepreneurs and were intended to provide beneficiaries with the resources required to sustain and expand their businesses.

The controversy has brought renewed attention to the distinction between constituency empowerment programmes and financial inducements intended to influence electoral decisions.

While elected lawmakers routinely undertake empowerment activities for constituents, the OK Movement has questioned the circumstances and timing of the cash distribution, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election.

The movement’s allegations, however, remain unproven, and the distribution of financial assistance does not, by itself, establish that an electoral offence has been committed.

Determining whether a cash grant amounts to vote-buying or electoral bribery would require evidence of an unlawful inducement or other conduct prohibited by the applicable electoral laws.

The senator has maintained that the grants were provided to support businesses rather than to influence votes.

As of the latest reports, there was no confirmation that the EFCC had commenced an investigation into the exercise or that any competent authority had established wrongdoing by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The development has nevertheless generated debate over the use of cash in political empowerment programmes, transparency in the selection of beneficiaries and the need to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

For the OK Movement, the matter requires investigation by the EFCC, while Akpoti-Uduaghan insists that the grants were designed to address the economic needs of small-business owners in her constituency.

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