Oshiomhole Clears Air on Natasha Suspension Controversy, Denies Alleging Forged Senate Signatures

Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has dismissed reports suggesting that he accused members of the Senate of forging signatures in the controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing such claims as a distortion of his remarks.

The Edo North lawmaker and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior issued the clarification on Tuesday following reactions to comments he made during an appearance on AIT’s Politics Today programme on June 15, 2026.

Oshiomhole said media reports and public commentary implying that he alleged forgery of senators’ signatures were inaccurate and did not reflect what he stated during the interview.

“The insinuation that I said signatures of senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” he said.

The former governor of Edo State noted that he fully aligned with the position of Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, who had maintained that no senator’s signature was forged in relation to the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.

According to Oshiomhole, no senator has approached him with complaints that his or her signature was forged.

“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate that no signature of senators was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension because no senator complained to me that his or her signature was forged,” he stated.

He explained that his reference during the interview was to a claim allegedly made by a senator who served on the committee involved in the matter, who suggested that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the committee’s final report.

“The only comment I made is that one senator, who is a member of the committee, claimed that the signatures of attendance of some senators were attached to the final report. Any suggestion that I alleged that any senator’s signature was forged is completely untrue and should be disregarded,” he said.

Oshiomhole stressed that the issue surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had long been concluded and that the Senate had moved on from the controversy.

He further clarified that his remarks arose while responding to a question concerning an alleged statement by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who was said to have described the matter as the “lowest point” of the 10th Senate.

According to Oshiomhole, his response was simply that if the Senate Leader indeed made such a remark, it deserved serious attention because of Bamidele’s standing and credibility within the National Assembly.

He reiterated that at no time did he accuse any senator of forgery and urged the public to disregard interpretations suggesting otherwise.

The senator also expressed regret over any embarrassment his comments may have caused fellow lawmakers or the institution of the Senate.

“Once again, I emphasise that no senator told me that his or her signature was forged. I regret if my comments may have caused embarrassment to any senator or the 10th Senate as an institution,” he said.

The clarification is expected to calm tensions generated by renewed debate over the circumstances surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, a matter that continues to attract public and political attention despite the Senate’s insistence that it has been resolved.