On Thursday in Abuja, the Kogi Central Progressive Elites warned the Obi‑Kwankwaso Movement to keep the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) out of partisan battles after the agency announced it would probe Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s cash‑based empowerment scheme for the upcoming 2027 elections.
Key facts
- The EFCC said it would examine whether the senator’s constituency‑wide cash distribution amounts to vote‑buying, a claim that has been circulating in political circles.
- The group’s president, Abdullahi Omeiza, stressed that “accountability is indispensable to democratic governance, but it must never become a convenient weapon for settling political scores,” urging investigations to rely on evidence and due process.
- According to the statement, merely handing out money to constituents does not, in itself, constitute an offence of vote‑buying.
- The Kogi Central Progressive Elites called on the Obi‑Kwankwaso Movement to present any credible proof to the proper authorities rather than rely on public accusations.
- The organisation reminded voters that the decision on Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s re‑election belongs to the electorate, not to political pressure groups.
Why is the group opposing the EFCC probe?
The statement warned that political actors are increasingly weaponising anti‑corruption bodies for partisan advantage. It argued that while no individual is above the law, the EFCC must operate free from political pressure and media‑driven prejudgement.
What does the group say about constituency empowerment programmes?
The body noted that development initiatives that provide direct financial assistance to beneficiaries should not be automatically labelled as vote‑buying. It called for any scrutiny to be anchored in factual evidence and established legal procedures.
How does the group view the electorate’s role?
Omeiza asserted that Kogi Central’s voters are “politically conscious, discerning and capable of evaluating their representative.” He said that if citizens feel the senator is unfit for another term, the correct course is to present a stronger alternative at the ballot box.
What is the broader political context?
The warning comes as the Obi‑Kwankwaso Movement, a coalition supporting former Governor Samuel Ogbuewu‑Obi and former Governor Abdullahi Kwankwaso, has hinted at mobilising against Senator Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s possible return in 2027. The Kogi Central Progressive Elites urged all political actors to focus on issue‑based campaigns rather than intimidation or media‑driven narratives.
The group concluded that Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan should remain focused on her legislative duties and not be sidetracked by political theatrics, while the people of Kogi Central retain the ultimate authority to decide her political fate at the polls.