{
  "id": 18822950,
  "title": "Natasha tackles Obi-Kwankwaso group over cash gift probe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/natasha-tackles-obi-kwankwaso-group-over-cash-gift-probe-18822950",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T00:34:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/natasha-tackles-obi-kwankwaso-group-over-cash-gift-probe/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi Central senator, defended her distribution of millions of naira to constituents, claiming the funds were allocated in the Federal Government’s budget. She stated that she has not received an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the cash disbursement. The senator emphasized that the program was conducted transparently and that about 600 beneficiaries attended, with the cash displayed before distribution. Natasha acknowledged the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement's demand for an EFCC probe, alleging the public distribution of large sums could be vote-buying. However, she encouraged her opposition to channel their efforts into encouraging their own senators to provide similar opportunities to their constituents. The Movement had accused Natasha of undermining democratic principles through the cash grants and threatened to mobilize political resources against her re-election to the National Assembly.",
  "summary": "The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has defended the distribution of millions of naira to her constituents under her empowerment programme, saying she has yet to receive… Read More: https://punchng.com/natasha-tackles-obi-kwankwaso-group-over-cash-gift-probe/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}