Oshiomhole backtracks, says no signature forged in Natasha Akpoti suspension

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has withdrawn his earlier remarks suggesting possible irregularities in the signatures attached to the Senate report that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in 2025.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the former governor of Edo state said his comments during an interview on AIT’s Politics Today on June 15 had been misinterpreted and should not be taken as an allegation of forgery.

Oshiomhole clarified that he never accused any senator of forging signatures, stressing that no lawmaker had personally complained to him about such an incident.

“To set the records straight, the insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” he stated.

He added that his earlier comments were based on a claim attributed to a member of the Senate committee handling the matter, who reportedly suggested that attendance signatures were attached to the final report.

According to him, this observation was wrongly interpreted as an allegation of forgery against lawmakers involved in the process.

“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate that no signature of Senators was forged,” Oshiomhole said, aligning himself with the position of Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu.

The senator further insisted that no member of the Senate had informed him of any falsification of signatures linked to the suspension report.

Oshiomhole also said the matter surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had already been concluded and that the Senate had moved past the controversy.

He explained that his remarks on the issue were made in response to comments attributed to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who allegedly described the suspension episode as a low point for the 10th Senate.

The former APC national chairman expressed regret over any misunderstanding caused by his earlier comments, noting that he did not intend to embarrass the Senate or any of its members.

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

Oshiomhole’s clarification comes after his earlier interview suggested that some senators may not have endorsed or signed the report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension over alleged misconduct.

The senator had claimed at the time that some lawmakers whose names appeared on the report privately denied signing it, a statement that triggered widespread public attention and political debate.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 following allegations of misconduct, including accusations directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leading to restrictions on her access to the National Assembly and suspension of her privileges.