Akpabio recalls Senate over Natasha forgery clash

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has convened an emergency plenary following rising tension triggered by comments made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, which unsettled members of the upper chamber and sparked confusion over an Ethics Committee report involving Senator Natasha.

The controversy began after Oshiomhole, during a televised interview, suggested that some senators’ signatures may have been appended to the committee’s report without their consent. The report had recommended action against Natasha, and his remarks raised immediate concerns about the integrity of the process used in reaching the decision.

Although the former Edo State governor later clarified his statement, insisting that he did not directly accuse anyone of forgery, the clarification did little to calm the situation. Several lawmakers were reportedly angered by the public nature of the allegation, which they believe cast doubt on the credibility of the Senate and its procedures.

The Senate is now expected to confront the matter directly during Tuesday’s sitting, where members are likely to deliberate on Oshiomhole’s comments and reaffirm the institution’s stance on its internal processes. According to Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, the chamber will not ignore any statement capable of undermining public confidence in its operations. He stressed that the forgery allegation was serious but misleading, adding that no senator has officially reported any case of a falsified signature.

Adaramodu further emphasized that all Senate resolutions are made transparently during plenary sessions and that disciplinary actions are only concluded after full debate and collective agreement among lawmakers.

In response to the backlash, Oshiomhole has attempted to de-escalate the situation. He denied making any direct accusation of forgery and described the interpretation of his interview as a distortion of his words. He explained that he was merely referencing concerns raised by a fellow lawmaker who questioned whether attendance records from a committee meeting were reflected in the final report.

He also noted that the issue surrounding Natasha’s suspension had already been settled by the Senate and urged that the matter should not be reopened in a way that could create further division. Oshiomhole expressed regret if his comments caused discomfort or embarrassment to any senator or to the institution as a whole.

The situation became more complicated after Senator Ireti Kingibe made her own media appearance, revealing that she did not personally review the final Ethics Committee report that led to Natasha’s suspension. Kingibe stated that she was attending a tax reform retreat at the time the report was presented and only participated in an earlier committee session, where she signed an attendance register before leaving.

She added that she had raised concerns with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and others regarding her lack of access to the final document, which has now intensified scrutiny over whether all committee members were fully involved in the decision-making process.

Natasha was suspended in March 2025 after the Senate found her guilty of gross misconduct and disorderly conduct following a heated confrontation with Akpabio. While she has maintained that her suspension was politically motivated and an act of retaliation by the Senate President, the chamber insists that the disciplinary measure was based strictly on violations of its rules.

As part of the sanction, she was suspended for six months, stripped of salaries and allowances, her office was sealed, and she was barred from entering the National Assembly complex.

With tensions still high and questions lingering over procedure and transparency, lawmakers are expected to use Tuesday’s plenary to address the dispute and attempt to restore confidence in the Senate’s decision-making process.