Senator Adams Oshiomhole has denied reports suggesting that he accused members of the Senate of forging signatures in the report that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The senator representing Edo North Senatorial District said his earlier comments on the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had been misunderstood and wrongly reported.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Oshiomhole insisted that he never alleged that senators’ signatures were forged. He explained that what he said during an interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT) was that a member of the committee involved in the matter had raised concerns about attendance signatures attached to the committee’s final report.
“The insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” Oshiomhole stated.
“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,” he added.
The former Edo State governor said his remarks had been taken out of context, creating the impression that he directly accused the Senate leadership or committee members of falsifying signatures. He maintained that he merely repeated concerns allegedly expressed by a senator who served on the committee that handled the matter.
The controversy is the latest twist in the political drama surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate following the adoption of a committee report linked to allegations of misconduct. Her suspension generated intense public debate, with critics questioning both the procedure adopted by the Senate and the severity of the punishment.
The issue attracted even greater attention after Oshiomhole’s television interview, during which many believed he had suggested that signatures attached to the committee report were forged. The interpretation sparked reactions from different quarters and led to renewed scrutiny of the Senate’s internal processes.
In response to the allegations, the Senate had earlier rejected claims that signatures were forged in the report recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. The upper legislative chamber also indicated that it would examine the concerns raised and take an official position where necessary.
Oshiomhole’s latest statement appears aimed at setting the record straight and distancing himself from claims that he directly accused fellow lawmakers of criminal conduct.
The case has remained one of the most talked-about issues involving the National Assembly in recent months, drawing reactions from civil society groups, legal experts and members of the public. Some stakeholders have argued that disciplinary measures against lawmakers should strictly follow due process and remain transparent to maintain public confidence in the legislature.
Others have called for greater openness in the handling of committee reports and decision-making processes within the Senate to avoid controversies capable of damaging the image of the institution.
For Oshiomhole, the clarification represents an attempt to prevent further misunderstanding over comments that have continued to generate headlines and political debate.
The senator stressed that there was a clear difference between personally alleging forgery and referring to concerns reportedly expressed by another member of the committee.
His statement may ease immediate tensions over the issue, but it is unlikely to bring an end to the wider debate surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension and the processes that led to it.
As Nigerians continue to follow developments at the National Assembly, the latest exchange underscores the importance of accuracy in public communication, especially on matters involving the country’s highest lawmaking body.
Whether the Senate will revisit the concerns raised about the committee report remains unclear. However, the controversy has once again placed the spotlight on transparency, accountability and adherence to established procedures within the nation’s legislature.
For now, Oshiomhole insists that he never accused any senator of forging signatures and that reports suggesting otherwise do not reflect what he actually said.