By Victory Oisaemi, Abuja
Oshiomhole alleges signature forgery in Senate report on Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) has alleged that the signatures of at least three lawmakers were either forged or improperly included in the Senate committee report that recommended the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central).
Oshiomhole made the claim while responding to remarks by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who had described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the low points of the 10th Senate.
Speaking during an interview on AIT, the former Edo State governor said some senators whose names appeared on the report had privately denied endorsing it.
He specifically cited Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), claiming she expressed surprise that her name was listed among those who signed the report.
“The committee does a hearing; members are expected to sign the report to endorse it. If you don’t agree, you can abstain. But some said they didn’t sign, yet their names were published,” Oshiomhole said.
He further suggested that attendance records may have been used in place of actual signatures, describing the practice as inappropriate.
“People like Senator Ireti Kingibe told me, ‘I didn’t sign that report, but my name was published,’” he added.
Oshiomhole said if any lawmakers indeed denied signing the report, the matter should be taken seriously, insisting that proper legislative procedure requires clear endorsement through signatures, not attendance records.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 over allegations of gross misconduct and unruly behaviour, linked to her repeated accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Her suspension barred her from entering the National Assembly complex, and also led to the suspension of her salary and allowances, as well as the sealing of her office.
