The Senate has said it will examine claims made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the report that led to the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following allegations that some signatures on the committee document may have been improperly included. Speaking on the matter, Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu said the chamber would review the comments and determine its official position, even as he maintained that no senator had formally reported any forgery connected to the issue.
The development follows recent remarks by Senator Oshiomhole, who alleged that the names of at least three senators appeared on the Senate committee report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension despite their alleged lack of involvement in the process.
According to Oshiomhole, some lawmakers whose names appeared on the document informed him that they neither signed the report nor endorsed its recommendations. The claim has sparked fresh debate over the process that led to the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker. Responding during an interview with The Cable, Adaramodu said the Senate would examine the statements made by the Edo North senator.
“The Senate will take a cursory look at either extraneous, spontaneous or intentional comments from any senator appropriately,” he said.
“We are going to review any statements made by him (Oshiomhole). We are going to look into it. We will take a stand and everyone will know where we stand.”
Despite the growing attention surrounding Natasha suspension, Adaramodu stated that no senator had officially complained that his or her signature was forged in connection with the committee report. According to him, the proceedings that led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension were conducted openly and transparently before the public.
“But we can say no senator has reported that his or her signature was forged during the Natasha matter,” he said.
“It was debated on the floor of the Senate openly at the plenary in the full glare of every Nigerian and even the international audience, and so nothing to hide.” He noted that the Senate’s decision was based on its interpretation of its internal rules and procedures.
“All Nigerians knew where we stood then on the issue of Natasha, that she ran foul of the Senate’s orders. And we are orderly because we are bounded by orders of the Senate,” Adaramodu added.
Addressing concerns raised by the Natasha suspension forgery allegation, the Senate spokesperson insisted that lawmakers operate independently and are capable of raising objections whenever they believe due process has not been followed. He dismissed suggestions that senators could be pressured into supporting decisions against their will.
“Nobody will say that he or she was coerced or somebody’s signature was forged; that has never happened in the Senate and it cannot happen. It has never happened,” he said. According to him, members of the upper chamber are experienced public officials who can freely express concerns without external assistance.
“Senators are independent-minded people. We are mature men and women. And if you have any infraction against anybody, that person can, without any advocate from anywhere, that person will show it.” Adaramodu further stressed that he had not previously received any information suggesting irregularities in the handling of the committee report.
“So there’s nothing like that. I’m just hearing it for the first time. That’s very strange,” he stated.
The forgery allegation has added a new dimension to discussions surrounding the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, which has remained a subject of public and political debate.
While Oshiomhole’s comments have prompted calls for clarification, the Senate leadership maintains that no official complaint has been lodged by any lawmaker regarding forged signatures or coercion during the process. The chamber’s planned review is expected to determine whether any further action will be taken regarding the claims.
As questions continue to emerge over the circumstances surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, the Senate says it will carefully assess the comments made by Senator Oshiomhole before reaching a formal position. The outcome of the review could provide further clarity on the issues raised and address concerns linked to the Natasha suspension forgery allegation.
