Excerpt: Oshiomhole says he never alleged forgery in Natasha suspension report, insisting no senator’s signature was falsified during the process.

The lawmaker representing Edo North issued a statement on Tuesday, explaining that comments he made during an interview on AIT’s Politics Today on June 15 had been wrongly interpreted as an accusation of forgery against members of the Senate.

Oshiomhole stressed that he fully agrees with Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who had maintained that no senator’s signature was falsified during the process that culminated in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

According to him, none of his colleagues informed him that their signatures had been forged, adding that he had no basis to make such an allegation.

The former Edo State governor explained that his observation was limited to claims by a member of the committee involved in the matter, who reportedly suggested that attendance signatures were attached to the committee’s final report.

He stated that this was the only issue he referenced during the interview and urged the public to disregard suggestions that he accused anyone of forging lawmakers’ signatures.

Oshiomhole further remarked that the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had effectively been concluded and that the Senate had moved forward from the matter.

He also clarified that his comments were made while responding to remarks attributed to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who was reportedly quoted as describing the Natasha suspension saga as one of the most difficult moments experienced by the 10th Senate.

The senator said he merely observed that such a statement should be taken seriously if indeed it came from the Senate Leader, whom he described as a person not known for making careless comments.

Reiterating his position, Oshiomhole again maintained that no senator approached him with complaints about forged signatures and that he never made such an accusation.

He also expressed regret over any controversy generated by his remarks, saying he was sorry if his comments caused discomfort to fellow lawmakers or brought unwanted attention to the Senate as an institution.

The clarification comes days after Oshiomhole suggested during a television interview that the signatures of at least three senators may have been improperly included in the report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March 2025 over allegations of gross misconduct and disorderly conduct arising from her repeated accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Her suspension included a ban from the National Assembly complex, the withdrawal of her salaries and allowances, and the closure of her legislative office. (AriseNews TV)

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