‘I Never Said Senators’ Signatures Were Forged’ – Oshiomhole Moves to Quell Fresh Natasha Suspension Controversy

By Iyojo Ameh

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has denied alleging that signatures of senators were forged in the process that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that his comments during a television interview were grossly misrepresented.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said reports suggesting he accused the Senate of forging signatures were false and should be disregarded.

The lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on Interior, said he was compelled to clarify his remarks made during an appearance on AIT’s Politics Today on June 15 following widespread interpretations that he had questioned the authenticity of signatures attached to a committee report.

“The insinuation that I said signatures of senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” Oshiomhole stated.

He affirmed the position earlier taken by Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, that no senator’s signature was forged during the controversial suspension process.

“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Yomi 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,” he said.

Oshiomhole explained that his reference during the television interview was limited to claims allegedly made by a member of the committee involved in the matter, who suggested that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the committee’s final report.

According to him, that observation should not be interpreted as an allegation of forgery.

“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. Any suggestion to the effect that I alleged that any senator’s signature was forged is completely untrue,” he added.

The senator also maintained that the controversy over Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had effectively been settled and that the Senate had since moved on.

Providing further context, Oshiomhole said his comments arose while responding to a claim by the programme’s interviewer that Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele had described the Natasha suspension saga as “the lowest point of the three years of the 10th Senate.”

He said his response was simply that if the Senate Leader indeed made such a remark, it deserved serious consideration because of Bamidele’s reputation for measured public statements.

“As far as I am concerned, the issue of suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been put to rest and the Senate has since moved on,” he said.

Oshiomhole nevertheless expressed regret over any misunderstanding generated by his remarks and any embarrassment caused to fellow lawmakers or the institution of the Senate.

“Once again, I emphasise that no senator told me that his or her signature was forged. Finally, I regret if my comments may have caused embarrassment to any senator or the 10th Senate as an institution,” he stated.

The clarification comes amid renewed public scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, a matter that has continued to generate political debate months after the Senate concluded disciplinary proceedings against the Kogi Central lawmaker.