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Senator Adams Oshiomhole has clarified his earlier comments on the controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, denying that he alleged that signatures of lawmakers were forged in the report that recommended the Kogi Central senator’s suspension.

Oshiomhole, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said his comments during an interview on AIT’s Politics Today programme on Monday were misrepresented, insisting that he never claimed any senator’s signature was forged.

The former Edo State governor said his position was consistent with that of the Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, that no senator’s signature was forged because no lawmaker had complained to him about such.

He, however, explained that the only issue he raised was that a senator who served on the committee had claimed that attendance signatures of some lawmakers were attached to the final report.

Oshiomhole said, “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.

“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.”

The Edo North senator added that any suggestion that he accused anyone of forging signatures was “completely untrue” and should be disregarded.

Oshiomhole said the issue of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension had been concluded, adding that the Senate had moved on.

“Finally, I regret if my comments may have caused embarrassment to any Senator or the 10th Senate as an institution,” he stated.

His clarification came hours after the Senate dismissed claims that the suspension process was manipulated, accusing Oshiomhole of attempting to reopen a settled matter.

The Senate spokesman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, had earlier said the disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan followed due process and was handled openly on the floor of the chamber.

Adaramodu said the allegation that lawmakers’ signatures were forged never arose during the proceedings, questioning why the issue was being raised months after the matter had been concluded.

He maintained that the Senate had established that any senator who violates its rules would face appropriate sanctions, insisting that the Akpoti-Uduaghan matter was transparently handled.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has insisted that he won the 2023 presidential election.

Obi charged Nigerians to forget about the proof because he won but was not declared the winner.

In an interview with Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra State governor stressed that someday the process would recognise his victory.

He said: “Do you know that in the last election I won? Forget about the proof, they didn’t declare me.

“I have contested elections in Nigeria as a presidential candidate and won, leave what’s declared because one day the story will be told.

“For now, I can tell you that I’m offering myself for the general election in Nigeria. One day, the process will recognise it.”

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, LP, came third behind the Peoples Democratic Party’s Atiku Abubakar and President Bola Tinubu.

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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that Governor Biodun Oyebanji will win his election for a second term as Governor of Ekiti State at this Saturday’s poll.

Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday at the capital city of Ado-Ekiti during the grand finale of the Governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state.

The rally was also attended by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman and his team in the National Working Committee, dozens of federal lawmakers and many APC Governors.

Akpabio who is co-chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Ekiti Governorship Poll assured the people that he would support and work with the Governor until the victory is delivered on Saturday.

“I will support you. I will work with you until victory is delivered on the 20th of June, 2026,” Akpabio assured the Governor.

The Senate President  said the people of Ekiti State are known for peace and urged them not to allow anyone to steal their peace by causing violence at the poll.

The Senate President urged them not to stay back at home but come out early to cast their votes stressing that “we want to see the quantum of your votes so that we will know what you are going to give to Asiwaju in 2027.”

Akpabio explained that Governor Oyebanji was being supported because of his performance and humility.

“We have come to support not just a colleague but a performing colleague in the party. We have come to support a humble man and a man who believes in gender sensitivity, who has picked a woman as a deputy governor.

“We are here to support the women in Ekiti State. We have come to support performance in Ekiti State.

“Who would have thought that a man can unite all the former governors of Ekiti State. I have seen them here. Sometimes we don’t agree with them. Sometimes they are not even in the same party. But they are all here on the podium to support only one man. And the reason is because that man is worthy of support,” Akpabio said.

Also speaking, Governor Oyebanji said he had kept to his campaign promises during the last election and made further pledge to do more if re-elected for a second term of four years on Saturday.

“Close to four years ago, we entered into a contract that we will serve you. You can attest to the fact that with the help of God and the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  we have served you well.

“We have served you very well in the last three to four years.You can see what we have done. These are things you can see, you can feel and you can touch. And l make a pledge here today that we are ready to do more,” Governor Oyebanji said.