The Senate Committee on Interior Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has issued an Oshiomhole clarification statement denying allegations that he claimed signatures were forged during the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The clarification follows public interpretation of remarks he made during a television interview. He stated that his comments had been misrepresented and did not amount to an allegation of forgery.
The dispute relates to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, led by Senator Neda Imasuen. The matter had earlier generated public debate within political and legislative circles.
Senator Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North under the All Progressives Congress (APC), had appeared on AIT’s “Politics Today” on Monday 15th June 2026, where he made comments that were later interpreted by some observers as suggesting irregularities in the handling of signatures during the suspension process. The Oshiomhole clarification statement was issued to address those interpretations.
In the statement, Oshiomhole rejected the interpretation that he accused any senator of forging signatures. He said, “The insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said.”
He further added: “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 senator explained that his comments were based on a claim that attendance signatures were attached to a committee report, not that any senator’s signature was forged. He emphasized in the Oshiomhole clarification statement that his remarks had been misunderstood and should not be taken as an allegation of fraud.
He also stated: “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 to the effect that I alleged that any Senator’s signature was forged is completely untrue and should be disregarded.”
Oshiomhole added that the issue surrounding the suspension had been concluded, noting that the Senate had moved on from the matter. He further referenced his exchange during the interview, saying his comments were in response to a question regarding remarks attributed to the Senate Leader, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi.
The Oshiomhole clarification statement highlights ongoing sensitivity around internal legislative procedures and public interpretations of Senate activities. It also underscores how televised political commentary can generate wider controversy when statements are interpreted beyond their intended context. The clarification may help reduce tensions surrounding the earlier suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, although public discourse on legislative transparency and procedure is likely to continue.
Senator Oshiomhole concluded by expressing regret if his comments caused embarrassment, stating: “Once again, I emphasise that no Senator told me that his or her signature was forged.” He added that he regretted any misunderstanding arising from his remarks. The Oshiomhole clarification statement effectively positions his comments as a correction of public misinterpretation rather than an allegation of wrongdoing.
