Three senators didn’t sign Natasha Akpoti’s suspension report but found their names on it — Oshiomhole
The senator representing Edo north, Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that the signatures of at least three senators were either forged or wrongly included on the report that recommended the six-month suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.
Oshiomhole made the claim while responding to comments by Opeyemi Bamidele, the senate leader, who had described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the lowest points of the 10th senate.
Speaking in an interview on AIT, the former Edo state governor said some lawmakers whose names appeared on the report privately informed him that they neither signed nor supported its recommendations.
He referenced Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying she was surprised to see her name listed among those who endorsed the report.
“The committee does a hearing; members are expected to sign the report to endorse it. If you don’t agree, you can abstain. But some said they didn’t sign, yet their names were published,” Oshiomhole said.
“People like Senator Ireti Kingibe. She told me, ‘But I didn’t sign that report. But my name was published’”.
He further suggested that attendance records may have been used in place of actual signatures, describing the practice as improper.
“So, where many don’t accept the content, they could abstain from signing it because to sign is to endorse. One, two or three senators said, ‘We didn’t sign, but our names were there,” he said.
“But how? Some say maybe they attached an attendance register, which is not the appropriate thing. But that’s not my problem. If Opeyemi said so, I think you should take it seriously.”
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 over allegations of gross misconduct and unruly behaviour linked to her repeated accusations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Her suspension barred her from the National Assembly complex, halted her salary and allowances, and resulted in the sealing of her office.