The Senate has said it will review allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) concerning the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), while maintaining that no senator’s signature was forged in the process that led to the disciplinary action.
Senate spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, disclosed this in an interview with TheCable on Tuesday, following Oshiomhole’s claim that the names of some lawmakers were improperly included in the Senate Committee report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.
Oshiomhole had reportedly alleged that at least three senators whose names appeared on the committee report neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations.
Responding to the allegation, Adaramodu said the Senate would examine the comments made by the Edo North lawmaker and take an appropriate position.
“We are going to review any statements made by him (Oshiomhole). The Senate will take a cursory look at either extraneous, spontaneous or intentional comments from any senator appropriately,” he said.
“We are going to look into it. We will take a stand and everyone will know where we stand. But we can say no senator has reported that his or her signature was forged during the Natasha matter.”
The Senate spokesperson emphasized that the proceedings leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension were conducted openly during plenary sessions and were witnessed by Nigerians and the international community.
“It was debated on the floor of the Senate openly at plenary in the full glare of every Nigerian and even the international audience, so there was nothing to hide,” Adaramodu stated.
He reiterated the Senate’s position that the Kogi Central lawmaker was sanctioned after allegedly violating the rules and orders of the upper legislative chamber.
“All Nigerians knew where we stood then on the issue of Natasha—that she ran foul of the Senate’s orders. And we are orderly because we are bound by the orders of the Senate,” he added.
Adaramodu also dismissed suggestions that senators could be pressured into endorsing decisions against their will, describing members of the upper chamber as independent-minded individuals capable of speaking out against any wrongdoing.
“Nobody will say that he or she was coerced or somebody’s signature was forged; that has never happened in the Senate and it cannot happen,” he said.
“Senators are independent-minded people. We are mature men and women. If there is any infraction against anybody, that person can, without any advocate from anywhere, come forward and address it.”
The latest development comes amid continued debate over the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, a decision that has generated political controversy and attracted public scrutiny since it was announced by the Senate.
