Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, the lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District, has denied claims that he alleged some senators forged signatures during the process that led to the suspension of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
Oshiomhole, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, said his comments during an appearance on AIT’s Politics Today were misinterpreted, creating the impression that he accused members of the Senate of signature forgery.
The former Edo State governor clarified that he never claimed any senator’s signature was forged, adding that such reports were a misrepresentation of his remarks.
“The insinuation that I said signatures of senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said,” Oshiomhole stated.
According to Oshiomhole, no senator had approached him with any complaint concerning alleged forged signatures.
He explained that his comment was based on the claim by a member of the committee that attendance signatures of some senators were attached to the final report submitted to the Senate.
“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,” he said.
The senator explained that his remarks followed a discussion during the television interview after the presenter referenced a comment by Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, describing the incident as “the lowest point of the three years of the 10th Senate.”
Oshiomhole said that if Bamidele made such a statement, it deserved attention because the Senate Leader was not known for making careless remarks.
The Edo lawmaker expressed regret over any misunderstanding caused by his comments, saying he did not intend to embarrass any senator or the Senate as an institution.