ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Senator Adams Oshiomhole has clarified his earlier remarks on the controversy surrounding the suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, denying that he ever alleged lawmakers’ signatures were forged in the report that recommended her suspension.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said his comments during an appearance on AIT’s Politics Today programme on Monday had been misconstrued, stressing that he never claimed any senator’s signature was forged.
The former Edo State governor explained that his position aligns with that of Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, who had maintained that no senator’s signature was forged because no lawmaker had lodged such a complaint.
According to Oshiomhole, the only issue he raised was a claim by a member of the committee that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the committee’s final report.
READ ALSO: Ndume, Oshiomhole Clash As Senate Screens Omokri
“The insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said.
“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu, that no signature of Senators was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension. This is because no Senator complained to me that his or her signature was forged.
“The only comment I made is that one Senator, who is a member of the Committee, claimed that the signatures of attendance of some Senators were attached to the final report,” Oshiomhole stated.
The Edo North lawmaker further described suggestions that he accused anyone of forgery as entirely false and urged the public to disregard such interpretations.
He also noted that the issue surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had already been resolved and that the Senate had moved on from the matter.
“Finally, I regret if my comments may have caused embarrassment to any Senator or the 10th Senate as an institution,” he added.
READ ALSO: Natasha Challenges Akpabio’s Appeal With Counter-Affidavit
Oshiomhole’s clarification came hours after the Senate rejected allegations that the suspension process was manipulated and accused him of reopening an issue it considered settled.
Earlier, Adaramodu had insisted that the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan followed due process and was openly debated and approved on the Senate floor.
He argued that allegations of forged signatures never surfaced during the proceedings and questioned why the issue was being raised several months after the matter had been concluded.
The Senate spokesman maintained that the chamber had established a clear principle that any senator who breaches its rules would face appropriate sanctions, adding that the Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension was handled transparently.