Natasha: Oshiomhole denies claim on senators’ signatures

Former Edo State governor and Senator representing Edo North, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has moved to clarify his comments over alleged forgery of signatures linked to the suspension report of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The senator said his remarks on national television were “misrepresented” by sections of the media, insisting he never alleged that any lawmaker’s signature was forged.

His clarification followed an interview on AIT’s Politics Today, where he had suggested that some signatures attached to the committee report recommending the six-month suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, were disputed by affected senators.

In the earlier interview, Oshiomhole claimed that at least three senators had privately denied endorsing the report, citing the case of FCT senator, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who allegedly expressed surprise that her name appeared on the document.

He said “committee procedures require members to sign reports to indicate endorsement, adding that abstention is allowed for those who disagree with findings”.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the former labour leader walked back the interpretation, stressing that no senator complained to him about forged signatures.

He aligned with Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, and Senate Leader, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, insisting that no forgery occurred in the handling of the report.

According to him, “What I referenced was a claim that attendance signatures of some lawmakers were attached to the final report, not that any document was falsified”.

Oshiomhole maintained that the controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been concluded, adding that the Senate has since moved on.

He also expressed regret over any embarrassment his comments may have caused the Senate or individual lawmakers, reiterating that his remarks were taken out of context.