The ongoing drama in the Nigerian Senate has taken a fresh, messy turn. The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has dropped shocking news regarding the controversial six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Kingibe openly confessed that she never laid her eyes on the official committee report that was used to kick Natasha out of the legislative chambers.
“I Was Attending a Tax Retreat”
Speaking during a live television interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time, Senator Kingibe explained that she was completely absent when the heavy disciplinary report was being drawn up.
She stated that she had attended a brief meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed her name on the attendance register, and left immediately to focus on a national tax reform retreat.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat,” Kingibe stated boldly. “I 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.”
Kingibe defended her decision to leave the committee room, insisting that the tax reform meeting was far more critical to the economic survival of her constituents than disciplining a fellow lawmaker.
The Mystery of the Photocall Signature
In a bizarre twist, Kingibe revealed that she was completely shocked to discover that a photocopy of her signature was actually attached to the final disciplinary document.
Because she only signed an attendance sheet for the meeting and never approved the final report itself, she made it clear that she could not have endorsed the committee’s extreme decision to suspend Natasha.
The Attendance Sheet Scandal: Oshiomhole Clarifies Claims
This massive revelation matches recent comments made by Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole caused a stir earlier when he mentioned that at least three senators had issues with how the report was signed.
While some media outlets reported that Oshiomhole was alleging a criminal “forgery” plot, the former Edo State Governor quickly clarified his statement. He explained that he never accused anyone of forging a physical signature out of thin air. Instead, he pointed out a questionable administrative practice: the Senate committee took the signatures from the morning attendance register and attached them to the final disciplinary paper as if those lawmakers had voted “yes.”
While Senate Spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has pushed back, insisting that the entire suspension procedure was handled openly and legally, Kingibe’s fresh comments have blown the conversation wide open again. Many are now asking if the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker was rushed through using administrative tricks.
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