Senator has clarified his comments regarding the suspension of Senator , stating that he never alleged that any senator’s signatures were forged during the disciplinary process that led to her suspension.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the former Edo State governor said his remarks during a televised interview on AIT’s Politics Today were misrepresented, leading to public misunderstanding that he had accused lawmakers of forgery. He firmly rejected that interpretation, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.
Oshiomhole explained that his comments were taken out of context, stressing that he did not accuse any senator of falsifying signatures. According to him, the only point he raised was a claim by one member of the Senate Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions Committee, who reportedly said that signatures of attendance of some senators were attached to the committee’s final report.
He maintained that at no point did he personally assert that any senator’s signature was forged, adding that no member of the Senate had approached him with any complaint regarding such an allegation.
The senator also aligned himself with the position of the Senate spokesperson, , who had earlier stated that there was no evidence of forged signatures in the process that led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Oshiomhole further noted that the controversy surrounding the suspension of the Kogi Central senator had already been resolved within the Senate and that the upper legislative chamber had since moved on to other matters.
He explained that his comments originated during a broader discussion about a statement attributed to Senate Leader , who reportedly described the suspension episode as one of the most contentious moments in the 10th Senate. Oshiomhole said he considered the remark significant given Bamidele’s reputation as a careful and measured lawmaker.
The senator reiterated that his intention during the interview was not to reopen internal Senate disputes but to respond to questions raised by the programme host. He expressed regret that his comments were interpreted in a way that appeared to implicate colleagues in wrongdoing.
Oshiomhole added that he had no knowledge of any senator reporting forged signatures and emphasized that such claims were never part of his statement.
He concluded by expressing regret for any embarrassment his comments may have caused to fellow lawmakers or to the Senate as an institution, reaffirming his respect for the upper legislative chamber and its leadership.
Political analysts note that the clarification reflects ongoing sensitivities within the National Assembly, where issues relating to internal discipline, ethics investigations, and public perception often attract significant media attention.
The Senate suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has remained a subject of public debate, with differing interpretations of the events leading to her disciplinary action. However, Oshiomhole’s latest statement seeks to distance himself from allegations of procedural misconduct within the Senate.
The development underscores the importance of accurate media reporting and careful interpretation of political statements, especially in matters involving legislative procedures and internal parliamentary disputes.
