Oshiomhole makes a U-turn over Natasha suspension forgery claim

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has clarified his earlier comments on the controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, denying that he alleged that signatures of lawmakers were forged in the report that recommended the Kogi Central senator’s suspension.

Oshiomhole, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said his comments during an interview on AIT’s Politics Today programme on Monday were misrepresented, insisting that he never claimed any senator’s signature was forged.

The former Edo State governor said his position was consistent with that of the Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, that no senator’s signature was forged because no lawmaker had complained to him about such.

He, however, explained that the only issue he raised was that a senator who served on the committee had claimed that attendance signatures of some lawmakers were attached to the final report.

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

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

“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.”

The Edo North senator added that any suggestion that he accused anyone of forging signatures was “completely untrue” and should be disregarded.

Oshiomhole said the issue of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had been concluded, adding that the Senate had moved on.

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

His clarification came hours after the Senate dismissed claims that the suspension process was manipulated, accusing Oshiomhole of attempting to reopen a settled matter.

The Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, had earlier said the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan followed due process and was handled openly on the floor of the chamber.

Adaramodu said the allegation that lawmakers’ signatures were forged never arose during the proceedings, questioning why the issue was being raised months after the matter had been concluded.

He maintained that the Senate had established that any senator who violates its rules would face appropriate sanctions, insisting that the Akpoti-Uduaghan matter was transparently handled. (Punch)