Natasha Suspension: I Never Said Senators’ Signatures Were Forged — Oshiomhole

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, has denied allegations that he claimed some Senators’ signatures were forged in the report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing such reports as a misrepresentation of his comments.

In a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said remarks he made during an appearance on AIT’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Monday night, June 15, 2026, had been misconstrued, creating the false impression that he accused Senate officials of forging lawmakers’ signatures.

“My attention has been drawn to an obvious misrepresentation of the statement I made during my interview on AIT’s Politics Today, broadcast on Monday, June 15, 2026,” he said.

He maintained that he never alleged that any Senator’s signature was forged and urged the public to disregard reports suggesting otherwise.

“The insinuation that I said Senators’ signatures were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” Oshiomhole stated.

The Edo Senator aligned himself with the position of Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who had dismissed allegations of forgery in relation to the suspension proceedings involving Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu, that no senator’s signature was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension. This is because no senator complained to me that his or her signature was forged,” he said.

Clarifying the comments that generated controversy, Oshiomhole explained that he merely referenced a claim allegedly made by a member of the committee that handled the matter.

“The only comment I made is that one Senator, who is a member of the committee, ‘claimed’ that the attendance signatures of some Senators were attached to the final report,” he explained.

He stressed that such a statement should not be interpreted as an allegation that any Senator’s signature was forged.

“Any suggestion to the effect that I alleged that any senator’s signature was forged is completely untrue and should be disregarded,” he added.

Oshiomhole further noted that the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had been resolved and that the Senate had moved on from the matter.

“As far as I am concerned, the issue of the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been put to rest, and the Senate has since moved on,” he stated.

Giving context to his remarks during the live television programme, Oshiomhole said he was responding to a statement attributed by the interviewer to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who reportedly described the controversy as the “lowest point” of the 10th Senate.

“The context in which I made a comment on the Senator Natasha Akpoti issue was the AIT interviewer’s claim that Senate Leader Distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele referred to the matter as the ‘lowest point of the three years of the 10th Senate’,” he said.

According to him, his reaction was based on the assumption that the statement had indeed been made by the Senate Leader.

“I replied that ‘if indeed the Senate Leader said so, yes, it should be taken seriously because he is not given to frivolities’,” Oshiomhole noted.

The lawmaker reiterated that no Senator had ever informed him that his or her signature was forged and expressed regret over any misunderstanding arising from his remarks.

“Once again, I emphasise that no senator told me that his or her signature was forged,” he said.

“Finally, I regret if my comments may have caused embarrassment to any senator or to the 10th Senate as an institution,” Oshiomhole added.