Maha Christopher
Fresh tensions are brewing within the Senate ahead of Tuesday’s emergency plenary session, as lawmakers are expected to deliberate on allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the controversial suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
According to The Punch, multiple sources within the National Assembly disclosed that the issue may dominate discussions when senators reconvene following an emergency session summoned by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The controversy stems from comments made by Oshiomhole suggesting that some senators’ signatures were either improperly attached to or appeared on the committee report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. Although the former Edo State governor later clarified that he never accused anyone of forging signatures, the remarks have continued to generate debate within the upper chamber.
Sources said several senior senators were dissatisfied with the controversy and are pushing for the Senate to take an official position on the matter.
One source alleged that the emergency session could provide an opportunity for lawmakers to address the issue and determine the next step.
“That explains why Akpabio called off the recess and summoned an emergency session under the guise of attending to the issue of rising insecurity across the country,” the source said.
While the Senate leadership has not officially confirmed that Oshiomhole’s comments will be discussed, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the chamber would not ignore allegations capable of undermining the integrity of its proceedings.
“We are going to review any statements made by him. The Senate will take a cursory look at either extraneous, spontaneous or intentional comments from any senator appropriately,” Adaramodu said.
He described the allegation as “spurious, bewildering and unthinkable,” insisting that no senator had ever reported that his or her signature was forged in relation to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension or any other Senate matter.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not believe that a senator can raise such an uncharitable allegation,” he added.
According to Adaramodu, all Senate decisions are taken openly during plenary sessions after exhaustive debates, including disciplinary matters.
The development comes days after Oshiomhole publicly clarified comments he made during an interview on Africa Independent Television that reignited controversy over the suspension.
In a statement issued last week, he denied accusing the Senate or any lawmaker of forgery.
“The insinuation that I said signatures of senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” Oshiomhole stated.
“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.”
According to him, he only referred to concerns allegedly raised by a member of the committee that some attendance signatures were attached to the final report.
The Edo North senator further stated that the matter concerning Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had effectively been concluded and expressed regret if his comments caused embarrassment to the Senate.
Meanwhile, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, has added a new dimension to the controversy by revealing that she never saw the committee report that led to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Kingibe said she was attending a retreat on tax reforms when the report was considered.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee,” she said.
Kingibe explained that although she attended a session of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and signed the attendance register, she later left for the retreat and never had access to the report.
“I even complained to other senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she added.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 after the Senate adopted the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty of alleged gross misconduct and unruly behaviour.
The suspension followed a highly publicised dispute between the Kogi Central senator and Senate President Akpabio. While Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate President of victimisation and other improprieties, the Senate maintained that the disciplinary action was strictly based on violations of its rules.
The sanctions included the withdrawal of her salaries and allowances, closure of her National Assembly office and restriction from accessing the legislative complex throughout the suspension period.
The issue recently resurfaced after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the suspension saga as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
