Natasha cash grants spark criticism as the Kogi senator defends business support and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement calls for an EFCC investigation
ABUJA, Nigeria, 5 November 2026: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has defended distributing cash grants to constituents during an empowerment programme, while the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the exercise over alleged vote-buying.
The programme was held on 2 November as part of activities marking Akpoti-Uduaghan’s third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly. Images and videos showing bundles of cash being distributed circulated on social media, prompting criticism and questions about the purpose of the handouts.
In a statement issued through her media aide, Mike Idoko, the senator said the decision to provide direct financial assistance was based on feedback from beneficiaries of earlier empowerment initiatives.
“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,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said some constituents had requested cash to start businesses, replenish stock or meet other operational needs. She added that some beneficiaries would receive up to ₦5 million through bank transfers.
The grants reportedly ranged from ₦100,000 to ₦5 million, with some recipients receiving ₦2 million, ₦3 million or ₦4 million. Beneficiaries included farmers, tailors, content creators and small-scale manufacturers.
The senator described the intervention as an effort to support local enterprises and strengthen economic opportunities across Kogi Central.
“We rounded off our third anniversary in office by supporting small businesses across Kogi Central with cash grants,” she said, adding that the entrepreneurs were “building livelihoods and strengthening our local economy”.
The explanation has not eased criticism from the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, which described the exercise as an apparent case of vote-buying and called for an EFCC investigation.
The group’s Director-General, John Ughulu, urged the commission to examine the circumstances surrounding the distribution and prosecute anyone found culpable.
“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 said.
The movement also said it would mobilise political support against Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate, arguing that elected officials must not use financial inducements to influence voters.
However, the allegation of vote-buying has not been established by an investigation or court finding. Section 121 of Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022 addresses bribery and inducement connected to securing votes or influencing an election.
The central legal question is whether a payment was corruptly intended to influence electoral choices, rather than simply whether cash assistance was distributed.
The controversy has also revived broader questions about constituency empowerment programmes, including whether direct cash grants provide effective and accountable support for small businesses.
Cash assistance can allow entrepreneurs to address different needs, such as buying stock, paying rent or purchasing materials. At the same time, public distribution of large sums can raise concerns about transparency, beneficiary selection and the distinction between legitimate constituency support and political inducement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s latest programme followed other activities marking her third year in office, including the distribution of laptops to selected secondary schools in Kogi Central.
The EFCC had been called on by the OK Movement to investigate the cash-grant exercise. The group’s demand remains an allegation and request for scrutiny, while the senator maintains that the grants were designed to meet beneficiaries’ business needs.
