- Group’s President, Abdullahi Omeiza, PhD, defends senator’s empowerment programme, says constituents will determine her political future in 2027
The Kogi Central Progressive Elites have condemned the call by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan over her recently organised cash empowerment programme, describing the move as a politically motivated attempt to undermine the lawmaker’s growing political influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group, through its President, Mr Abdullahi Omeiza, PhD, expressed disappointment over what it described as an attempt to weaponise anti-corruption rhetoric for partisan political interests, insisting that the people of Kogi Central remained capable of independently assessing the performance and contributions of their elected representative.
Omeiza alleged that the agitation was driven more by political calculations and opposition to the senator’s rising profile than by a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability.
He maintained that attempts to portray a constituency empowerment initiative as an established case of electoral malpractice, without first establishing the relevant facts, amounted to premature political judgement.
“We are concerned about the growing tendency among some political actors to deploy anti-corruption institutions and rhetoric as instruments of partisan warfare. Accountability is important, but it must be pursued through facts, evidence and established legal procedures, not through sensational political narratives designed to damage the reputation of an elected public official,” Omeiza said.
Empowerment Should Not be Misconstrued as Vote-Buying
Addressing allegations that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s cash empowerment programme amounted to open vote-buying, the Kogi Central Progressive Elites argued that constituency empowerment initiatives should not automatically be characterised as electoral inducement simply because they involve direct financial assistance to beneficiaries.
The group stressed that the legality or otherwise of such interventions must be determined by examining their objectives, circumstances, beneficiaries and compliance with applicable electoral laws.
Omeiza said it was important to distinguish between legitimate empowerment initiatives and electoral inducement, warning against the tendency to criminalise every financial intervention undertaken by an elected representative.
“Public empowerment programmes should be subjected to legitimate scrutiny, but such scrutiny must be guided by facts, evidence and the law. The mere distribution of financial assistance to constituents does not, in itself, establish an offence of vote-buying. If anyone alleges a violation, the appropriate thing is to present credible evidence and allow the relevant authorities to determine the matter in accordance with the law,” he stated.
He further maintained that the senator’s third-anniversary empowerment programme should be assessed on its merits rather than subjected to politically charged interpretations intended to undermine her public image.
EFCC Must Not be Drawn Into Partisan Political Battles
On the demand for an EFCC investigation and possible prosecution, the group acknowledged that public officeholders must remain accountable and that no individual should be considered above the law.
However, it cautioned against turning anti-corruption institutions into instruments of political intimidation or partisan confrontation.
According to Omeiza, the independence and credibility of anti-corruption institutions must be protected from unnecessary political interference.
“Accountability is indispensable to democratic governance, but it must never become a convenient weapon for settling political scores. Allegations are not convictions, petitions are not proof of wrongdoing, and public accusations cannot substitute for due process. The EFCC must be allowed to discharge its statutory responsibilities independently, without being subjected to political pressure or media-driven prejudgement,” he said.
The group challenged the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement to submit any credible evidence of alleged wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities rather than relying on public declarations and what it described as inflammatory political narratives.
It reiterated that no public official should be shielded from lawful investigation, just as no individual should be condemned before the facts have been independently established.
Constituents Know Their Representative, Says Omeiza
The Kogi Central Progressive Elites further declared that the people of the senatorial district were in the best position to assess Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s performance, accessibility, legislative contributions and constituency interventions.
The group argued that political representation should be measured through tangible contributions to the welfare of constituents, effective legislative engagement, empowerment opportunities and sustained interaction with the electorate.
Omeiza insisted that the senator had established a considerable political connection with her constituents, which, according to him, could not be erased by criticism, political opposition or media campaigns.
“The people of Kogi Central are politically conscious, discerning and capable of evaluating their representative. They understand the difference between constructive criticism and politically motivated attacks. No pressure group, political organisation or individual can arrogate to itself the authority to determine the political destiny of our senatorial district,” the President declared.
He also rejected what he described as attempts by external political interests to dictate the political preferences of Kogi Central voters, stressing that the electorate reserved the constitutional right to make independent political choices.
2027: Political Threats Will Not Determine Electoral Outcomes
Reacting to the reported declaration by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement that it would deploy political resources to oppose the senator’s return to the National Assembly, the group described the position as an expression of political opposition rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
It acknowledged the constitutional right of political organisations to campaign for or against any candidate but insisted that the ultimate decision rested with the electorate.
According to the group, the 2027 general elections would provide constituents another opportunity to assess the senator’s performance and determine whether she deserved another mandate.
Omeiza challenged political opponents to present credible alternatives, verifiable achievements and practical development programmes instead of concentrating their efforts on personality-driven attacks.
“In a democracy, every political organisation is entitled to its political preferences and is free to canvass support for its preferred candidates. However, nobody has the authority to substitute political threats or media campaigns for the sovereign decision of the electorate. If anyone believes Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan does not deserve another mandate, the appropriate response is to present a better alternative and allow the people to decide at the polls,” he said.
Natasha Must Not be Distracted From Service, Group Insists
The group also expressed confidence that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan would remain focused on her legislative responsibilities and constituency engagements despite the latest controversy.
It described the senator as a politically resilient lawmaker whose commitment to constituency development and public service should not be weakened by what it characterised as calculated attempts to provoke controversy and divert attention from governance.
Omeiza said public leadership naturally attracted scrutiny, criticism and competing political interests, but maintained that such challenges should inspire greater commitment to service rather than distract elected representatives from their responsibilities.
He consequently appealed to the senator’s supporters, constituents and political associates to remain calm, united and committed to democratic engagement.
“We encourage our people to remain peaceful, politically vigilant and focused on the issues that truly matter to the development of Kogi Central. Political disagreements should never become a source of unnecessary division among us. Our collective interest must remain bigger than the ambitions and calculations of individual political actors,” he added.
Group Urges Issue-based Politics Ahead of 2027
Looking towards the 2027 general elections, the Kogi Central Progressive Elites urged political stakeholders to prioritise development, accountability, inclusion and measurable results over what it described as endless political controversies.
The group maintained that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political future would ultimately be determined by her constituents through the democratic process, rather than by the volume of petitions, accusations or political declarations issued against her.
It called on the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement and other political actors to embrace responsible opposition, constructive criticism and issue-based political engagement, stressing that the development interests of Kogi Central should take precedence over partisan calculations.
Reaffirming the group’s confidence in the senator’s leadership, Omeiza concluded that the people of Kogi Central would not surrender their democratic choices to political pressure groups or individuals seeking to influence the district’s political direction through controversy.
“Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan must not be distracted from the responsibility of representing her people. Those who believe they can determine the political destiny of Kogi Central through media narratives, petitions and political pressure should understand that the people have a voice, the people have a choice, and the people reserve the ultimate democratic mandate. Ultimately, it is the electorate, not political pressure groups, that will determine who represents them,” he stated.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to democratic accountability, responsible political participation and the protection of the collective interests of the people of Kogi Central.
