Paying salaries is not an achievement, Akpoti-Uduaghan tells Ododo

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has criticised Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo over what she described as poor governance and lack of development in the state.

The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, faulted the governor for presenting the payment of workers’ salaries as an achievement, arguing that it was his administration’s responsibility.

Akpoti-Uduaghan made the remarks in a video circulating on Tuesday, urging Ododo to benchmark his administration’s performance against that of other governors, particularly Abia State Governor Alex Otti.

She questioned what she described as the poor standard of governance in Kogi, alleging that political thugs were being rewarded while development remained inadequate.

“How come we have come this low that only thugs are being rewarded? It’s really unfortunate. No development,” she said.

The senator cited Otti’s performance in Abia as an example of what governors should prioritise, despite his party, the Labour Party, being in opposition at the federal level.

“See what other governors are doing. Look at Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, an opposition. He is the only Labour Party governor. Look at what he is achieving in his state,” she said.

She dismissed the payment of salaries as an achievement, insisting that workers were entitled to their wages.

“Yet you say you are paying salaries. Therefore, that’s an achievement. But that’s not an achievement. It is your right,” she added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was sworn in as senator on November 2, 2023, after the Kogi State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja declared her the winner of the February 2023 Kogi Central senatorial election.