Tensions escalate as senior senators demand probe into allegations over Natasha’s suspension, with FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe backing claims she never saw the controversial report
Fresh turmoil is brewing within Nigeria’s Senate as lawmakers prepare to reconvene on Tuesday, with indications that the upper chamber may launch a formal investigation into explosive allegations made by Senator Adams Oshiomhole regarding the controversial suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Multiple sources within the National Assembly told our correspondent that the issue is expected to dominate discussions when senators return for an emergency plenary session hastily convened by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The Allegations That Shook the Senate
The controversy erupted when Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor, claimed during a television interview that signatures of some senators were either improperly attached to or appeared on the report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. He specifically named Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT) as one of the lawmakers who allegedly raised concerns about the document.
In a dramatic twist, Kingibe has now publicly backed Oshiomhole’s claims, revealing that she never saw the committee report that led to her colleague’s suspension.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee,” Kingibe disclosed during an Arise Television interview.
The FCT senator further revealed: “I even complained to other senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now.”
High-Stakes Emergency Session
The emergency session, called under the pretext of addressing rising insecurity across the country, may now serve as a battleground for the Senate to take an official position on the forgery allegations.
“That explains why Akpabio called off the recess and summoned an emergency session under the guise of attending to the issue of rising insecurity across the country,” a source who craved anonymity told our correspondent.
Several high-ranking senators are reportedly unhappy with the controversy and are pushing for the chamber to formally address the matter.
Oshiomhole’s Damage Control
In a swift clarification, Oshiomhole denied accusing the Senate or any lawmaker of forging signatures, insisting his comments had been misconstrued.
“The insinuation that I said signatures of senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said. 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,” Oshiomhole stated.
He added: “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.”
Senate Spokesman Responds
Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu indicated that the chamber would not ignore allegations that question the integrity of its proceedings.
“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. Such an allegation is spurious, bewildering and unthinkable,” Adaramodu said.
“No Senator, at any time, either in Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension or any other matter, has the Senate forged the signature or misrepresented any senator. The public should disregard and treat this as an ignoble outburst.”
Background: The Natasha Suspension
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 following the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty of alleged gross misconduct and unruly behaviour.
The suspension came amid a highly publicised dispute between the Kogi Central senator and Senate President Akpabio. While Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate President of victimisation, the Senate maintained its disciplinary action was based solely on violations of Senate rules.
The sanctions imposed on the lawmaker include:
· Withdrawal of her salaries and allowances
· Closure of her National Assembly office
· Restriction from accessing the legislative complex throughout the suspension period
The matter recently returned to public attention after Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the suspension episode as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
