The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is under serious scrutiny after distributing equipment to women in Abigborodo, Delta State. While her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel, presented this initiative as an effort to uplift rural women, people from her constituency are not buying it. Many have taken to social media to accuse her of prioritizing her husband’s home state over the people who actually voted her into office.
“Imagine a senator from Kogi empowering Delta State people when her own constituency is suffering. Well, maybe Delta State people will vote for her in 2027,” one user, Ali, sarcastically remarked on Twitter. Others echoed similar sentiments, with threats that she would face consequences at the ballot box in the next election.
Abigborodo, for context, is the hometown of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s husband, Emmanuel Uduaghan. While marital ties might explain her interest in the community, Kogi central citizens are asking if charity shouldn’t start at home. After all, Kogi Central has its own share of socio-economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Israel defended the senator’s initiative in a statement issued from Abuja, saying the empowerment program was aimed at helping women become self-reliant and contribute to economic growth. He described the program as part of Natasha’s broader vision to promote entrepreneurship and skills acquisition. “These equipment are expected to enable the women to establish or expand their businesses, thereby enhancing their economic prospects,” he said.
The empowerment ceremony, held on January 1, saw the distribution of items like deep freezers, sewing machines, and grinding machines. Community leaders and women groups in Delta were full of praise for Natasha’s efforts.
So, are the people of Kogi Central genuinely underserved, or are they simply playing the politics of entitlement? And does a senator’s marriage justify accusations of neglecting her constituency? Let’s leave you to be the judge