Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has alleged that the signatures of at least three lawmakers were forged or improperly included in the report that recommended the six‑month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, describing the development as a grave procedural irregularity that threatens the credibility of the 10th Senate. The Edo North senator made the claim during an interview on AIT on Monday, June 15, 2026, while responding to comments by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who had described Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the lowest points of the current Senate.
Oshiomhole said some senators whose names appeared on the report had privately told him they neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations. He specifically cited Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, who according to him expressed surprise at seeing her name listed. “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. “People like Senator Ireti Kingibe. She told me, ‘But I didn’t sign that report. But my name was published.’”
The former Edo State governor suggested that attendance registers may have been misused in place of actual signatures endorsing the report, a practice he described as inappropriate. He argued that signing a report amounted to endorsing its contents, and that lawmakers who disagree with a committee’s findings have the right to withhold their signatures or formally register their dissent. “So, where many don’t accept the content, they could abstain from signing it because to sign is to endorse. One, two or three senators said, ‘We didn’t sign, but our names were there,’” he stated. “But how? Some say maybe they attached an attendance register, which is not the appropriate thing.”
Akpoti‑Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March 2025 following allegations of gross misconduct and unruly behaviour linked to her persistent accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The disciplinary action barred her from the National Assembly complex, halted her salary and allowances, and led to the sealing of her office. The suspension became one of the most controversial decisions taken by the Senate since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, triggering national debate and attracting criticism from civil society groups, women’s rights advocates and opposition politicians.
Oshiomhole’s allegations add a new layer of controversy to the already contentious episode. When asked whether he agreed with Bamidele’s assessment that the suspension was the Senate’s lowest point, Oshiomhole responded affirmatively and pointed to the questions raised by some lawmakers about the endorsement process. “If he said that, yes,” Oshiomhole said. “There are even people who claim that their signatures were forged on that document.” He, however, stopped short of directly accusing Senate President Akpabio or any Senate official of forgery, stating: “This is not my problem. If Opeyemi said so, I think you should take him seriously.”
Oshiomhole’s remarks have intensified scrutiny of the Senate’s internal procedures and reignited debate over transparency and accountability within the upper legislative chamber. The senator insisted that strict adherence to parliamentary procedures remains essential to preserving the Senate’s credibility and public confidence in its decisions. He emphasised that committee reports must accurately reflect the positions of members and comply with established legislative rules to safeguard the integrity of the lawmaking process. The controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan now appears far from settled, as questions over the authenticity of the report’s endorsements continue to linger.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments