The spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has dismissed allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole that signatures of lawmakers who approved the report recommending the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were forged.
Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor, made the allegation during a recent interview with the African Independent Television (AIT), where he also claimed that Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) told him she only signed an attendance register and not the suspension report.
Reacting to the claim in a chat with The Cable, Adaramodu described the allegation as false and unfounded, insisting that no such incident occurred within the Senate.
“That is not true. Signatures forged, over what? If Senator Kingibe had anything against any procedure, she would report it on the floor of the Senate, not to an individual,” he said.
The Senate spokesperson, who noted that he was part of the ethics and public petitions committee that handled the matter, maintained that all procedures were followed appropriately.
He stressed that senators are independent and would not hesitate to raise objections if they had concerns about any legislative process.
“Nobody will say that he or she was coerced or that somebody’s signature was forged. That has never happened in the Senate, and it cannot happen,” he added.
Adaramodu also dismissed the suggestion that senators acted under pressure, insisting that proceedings on the matter were conducted openly.
He further recalled that the issue involving Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was deliberated on the floor of the Senate in full view of the public and international observers, adding that there was nothing to conceal.
On whether the Senate would sanction Oshiomhole over his comments, Adaramodu said the chamber would review the statements before taking any decision.
“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,” he said.
He added that the Senate would make its position known after a proper review of the remarks, stressing that no senator had formally reported any case of forged signatures in relation to the matter.
Adaramodu reiterated that the Senate operates under established rules and procedures, adding that members are bound by its standing orders in all legislative actions.