Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, has denied alleging that signatures were forged during the suspension process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that his comments were misrepresented in public reports.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North under the All Progressives Congress (APC), clarified his position in a statement issued on Monday, following reactions to his remarks during a televised interview on AIT’s Politics Today. The controversy relates to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central, which was handled by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen.
Oshiomhole insisted that he never claimed signatures of senators were forged, stressing that no lawmaker had complained to him about such an incident. According to him, the interpretation circulating in the public space does not reflect what he actually said during the interview.
“The insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” he stated. He further aligned with the Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who had earlier dismissed claims of signature forgery during the suspension process.
“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate… that no signature of Senators was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension,” Oshiomhole said.
He explained that his comments were based on information suggesting that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the committee’s final report, not that any signatures were falsified.
The clarification comes amid political tension surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has continued to generate debate within and outside the Senate.
Oshiomhole said his remarks during the AIT interview were taken out of context, particularly his response to questions referencing comments attributed to the Senate leadership. He noted that his statement was linked to remarks allegedly made by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, which were discussed during the interview.
The former Edo State governor further stated that the Senate has already moved beyond the controversy surrounding the suspension and that the matter should no longer be a source of dispute. He reiterated that at no point did any senator inform him that their signature was forged in connection with the committee’s report.
“Once again, I emphasise that no Senator told me that his or her signature was forged,” he said.
Oshiomhole also expressed regret over any misunderstanding his comments may have caused within the Senate or among colleagues. He added that if his remarks led to embarrassment for any senator or the institution, it was not his intention.
The Senate has continued to address public reactions to the controversy, with its spokesperson previously dismissing allegations of forgery and insisting that the suspension process followed established legislative procedures.
The clarification by Oshiomhole is expected to ease tensions within the upper chamber, where debates over the suspension have remained a sensitive political issue. The development underscores ongoing scrutiny of internal Senate processes and the wider political discourse surrounding the treatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
