Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has stated that she did not endorse the report recommending the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Kingibe, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed surprise to find her name and signature on the document, as she was not present when the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions adopted the recommendation.
During an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Tuesday, Kingibe revealed that she and about four other committee members were attending a retreat on the Tax Reform Bills on the day the committee adopted the report. Her comments followed remarks by Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who had earlier stated on AIT’s Politics Today that some senators complained they did not endorse the recommendation for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Oshiomhole’s Denial and Kingibe’s Clarification
Oshiomhole later denied saying senators’ signatures were forged, despite mentioning during the interview that some lawmakers had complained their names appeared on the report without their endorsement. He specifically named Kingibe among those who raised concerns. In her interview, Kingibe confirmed she complained to Oshiomhole that she did not endorse the report but only signed the attendance register.
“I did tell everybody that I was not there. We were together at the retreat, and I did complain publicly. I wasn’t there. I was at the retreat with him (Oshiomhole). He came to meet me there and when I heard about the report, I said, ‘But we were here’,” Kingibe said. She further explained that she and three or four other senators on the committee signed attendance for the Committee on Public Petitions and Complaints before leaving for the Tax Reform Retreat, which she considered more important for her constituents.
“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it,” she added.
No Allegation of Forgery
Despite confirming she did not sign the report, Kingibe said she was not accusing anyone of forging her signature. She stated that she complained to other senators, including Senator Abaribe, about not seeing the report but did not claim forgery. “I couldn’t have endorsed the committee report; I didn’t see it,” she said.
Background of the Suspension
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate in March 2025 for six months after the Ethics Committee found her guilty of defying the Senate’s seating arrangement and engaging in alleged misconduct during plenary on 20 February 2025. Prior to the suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, despite his friendship with her husband. The suspension sparked controversy, with many calling for Akpabio’s removal. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele later acknowledged that the issue distracted the Senate.
Kingibe Suggests Apology Could Have Averted Suspension
Kingibe also remarked that the events leading to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension could have been avoided if she had apologised during plenary and continued her legislative duties. She cited instances where senators apologised after breaching rules and resumed duties without sanctions. “I have apologised after throwing a tantrum. Senator Ndume does it all the time, and we don’t get suspended because immediately we are done, we realise that we have contravened the laws and rules of that particular place that we chose to be part of. And we do the necessary thing by apologising and it’s over. It took as long as it did because it was absolutely unnecessary. Senator Natasha could have apologised,” Kingibe said.
