Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole has reacted to his comment on the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The lawmaker clarified this in a statement on Tuesday, it was reported.

He said comments made in an interview on AIT’s Politics Today programme on Monday were misinterpreted, stressing that he never alleged that any senator’s signature was forged.

The former Edo State governor said his position was in line 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, said the only problem he raised was that a senator on the committee said 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 total misrepresentation of what I actually said.

“I totally agree with the Spokesman of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu that there was no forged signature of Senators in the suspension of Natasha Akpoti. This is because no Senator complained to me that his or her signature was forged.”

“The only comment I made was 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.

It is absolutely not true that I have accused anyone of forging signatures. The rumour should be ignored.

Oshiomhole said the matter of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was over, saying the Senate had moved on.

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

His explanation came just hours after the Senate dismissed allegations that the suspension process was manipulated, accusing Oshiomhole of trying to reopen a settled matter.

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The Nigerian Senate has dismissed allegation of forged signatures in the incidents that led to the suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, said the allegation of forgery by the Senator of Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole is not true at all.

Oshiomhole had alleged that signatures of not less than three lawmakers were forged or improperly inserted in the report recommending the six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The claim followed comments by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.

The ex-Edo State governor made the disclosure while speaking in an interview on AIT, on Monday, saying some of the senators whose names appeared in the report told him in private that they had neither signed the document nor endorsed its recommendations.

But Adaramodu dismissed Oshiomhole’s claim in a telephone chat with The Cable on Tuesday.

“That’s not true. “You’re forging signatures, for what?” he said.

He also stated that Senator Ireti Kingibe, whose name was mentioned by Oshiomhole, did not complain to the Senate.

“Senators are independent-minded,” he said, and the allegations of a supposed forgery are very strange.

“If she has any objection to any process she would report same on the floor of the senate and not to an individual,” he said.

“But that is not even the case because I sat on the ethics and public petitions committee that heard the matter.

“Nobody will say that he or she was coerced or forged of somebody’s signature. That has never happened in the senate and it can’t happen. Never happened.

“Senators are people of independent mind. We’re grown men and women. And if you have any infraction against anybody, that person can without any advocate from anywhere, that person will show. So, there’s nothing like that. I’ve heard it for the first time. “That’s very weird,” Adaramodu said.

When asked if the Senate would endorse Oshiomhole over the allegations, Adaramodu said the chamber would first examine the remarks before taking a stand.

“We will look at any comments he has made. The senate will give a cursory look to extraneous, spontaneous or intentional comments by any senator, appropriately.

“We are going to investigate. We’re going to make a stand and everyone’s going to know where we stand. But we can say there has not been a report by any senator that his or her senator has been forged in the Natasha matter.

It was debated openly on the floor of the senate at the plenary session in the full glare of every Nigerian and even the international audience so there is nothing to hide.

All Nigerians knew our position at that time on the issue of Natasha… that she had violated the orders of the senate. And we are orderly because we are bounded by orders of the senate,” he said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 on allegations of gross misconduct and unruly behaviour after a disagreement with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

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The Senate has distanced itself from the arrest warrant issued by its Committee on Public Accounts against the immediate Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari. The chamber also condemned uncomplimentary comments by Senator Adams Oshiomhole describing NNPCL as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”.

The repudiation came after a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele under a point of order on urgent national importance. Bamidele said the Senate had to protect its institutional integrity, ensure adherence to the Legislative Houses’ Powers and Privileges Act and protect fair hearing and due process.

The controversy broke on Wednesday when the Public Accounts Committee, led by Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, resumed its investigation into queries raised against NNPCL by the Auditor General of the Federation in audit reports for the years 2017 to 2023. At the session with the former NNPCL management, the committee resolved to issue an arrest warrant against Kyari.

At the same session, Senator Oshiomhole, a member of the committee, made negative comments about NNPCL. The former management team were interrogated and he described the company as “a bunch of criminals and thieves”.

But barely 24 hours later, the Senate in plenary, disowned both the committee’s action and Oshiomhole’s comments, stressing that they did not reflect the position of the institution.

Bamidele told the Senate any committee performing oversight under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution must do so in accordance with natural justice, fairness, objectivity, parliamentary responsibility and respect for the rule of law.

“Although the Senate has broad investigative and oversight powers, such powers must be exercised in a manner that does not create the appearance of bias, prejudice, prejudgment or predetermined conclusions about any person or institution being investigated,” he said.

He specifically argued that the warrant of arrest issued against Kyari was fraught with procedural irregularities and should be declared null and void. He also called on the Senate to discountenance Oshiomhole’s description of NNPCL.

“Such procedural irregularities may expose Senate proceedings to avoidable legal challenges and diminish public confidence in the institution,” warned Bamidele. He said that any statements suggesting guilt before the conclusion of the investigations were prejudicial to the proceedings.

The motion was strongly supported by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Whip Tahir Monguno, Senator Adamu Aliero who described Oshiomhole’s comments as reckless, and Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who moved that Oshiomhole withdraw the statement.

In his reaction, Oshiomhole said he made the comments under duress occasioned by equally uncomplimentary remarks against the Senate and senators by former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Alhaji Umar Ajiya, during the investigative hearing.

The Senate, in its resolution, formally distanced itself from Oshiomhole’s statement calling NNPCL “a bunch of criminals and thieves,” stating that such comments are not the official stance or determination of the Senate.

The chamber also discounted the purported arrest warrant issued by the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, against Mele Kyari.

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Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has stated that the 2027 election will be as tough as the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

He said this on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

The politician was reminded of the brewing storm against his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Seyi Makinde all in the presidential race.

When asked if the APC and President Bola Tinubu can survive the storm coming in 2027, he said, “I am not that worried about it but at the same time I do not take opponents for granted.

“I have said this severally on TV, and that is the mistake most of us are making especially those around Mr President: having problems telling him the facts. We’re going to fight it out together, it can be rough like the WWE, it’s going to be a rough fight.

“As I said, even when I said we are going to reciprocate what the president did to us, many people that I didn’t expect to call me, called and shouted at me.

‘The president is my president, he is in my party, we’re going to struggle it out together, this is not the first time, Peter Obi has tried before, Atiku has tried before. And who else? “They are not green in the ring.”

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Many parts of Nigeria still suffer insecurity, bandit attacks and kidnappings. The Senate has said it will fast-track work on the constitutional amendments needed to create state police.

The disclosure came from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, speaking on the plans of the National Assembly to make the country’s security system stronger.

“The Senate is ready to initiate the constitutional processes for the establishment of the state police and will give the process urgent attention,” he said.

He said lawmakers are resolute to complete the legal framework needed for state policing as soon as possible to enhance security and tackle criminal activities across the country.

The development comes as many Nigerians are sounding the alarm over the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks in different states.

There are also rising calls for the decentralization of policing powers, with greater roles for state governments in tackling security challenges across their territories.

“The lawmakers are ready to fast-track legislative action on the matter as part of their efforts to support the Federal Government in tackling the country’s security challenges,” Adaramodu said.

“The Senate stands ready to immediately begin the constitutional processes for the establishment of state police.

“We will ensure that the necessary legislative action is taken to establish state police to keep Nigerians safe and secure and drive out bandits and other criminals. “The legislature is ready to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians to confront the country’s security challenges.”

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The Senate has passed for third reading a bill seeking the establishment of a National Agency for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria and other related matters. The sponsor, Senator Ned Nwoko (APC Delta North) declared that it is “practicable and achievable”.

This was sequel to the consideration and adoption of the report presented by the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Secondary and Tertiary, Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (APC Rivers West) during plenary.

Senator Banigo, speaking at the presentation of the report, stated that the proposed agency, when established, will be responsible for coordinating all national efforts in the prevention, control and eventual eradication of malaria.

When established, the agency will help shift the country’s approach from curative to preventive or elimination, she said, adding that for nationwide operation, zonal and state offices of the agency shall be established and driven by a strategic plan backed by law, science and accountability.

“This is a milestone in the war against malaria, the most common disease in this part of the world,” he said.

Reacting to the passage of the bill, Nwoko told journalists that the agency is possible and will make Nigeria the first country in Africa to be malaria-free.

“I went to Antarctica with some of my legislative aides in the course of my research on the elimination of malaria and I came up with the bill which was passed for second reading in May last year and third reading by the Senate today.

“We can wipe out or eliminate malaria in Nigeria through a special agency for that purpose,” he said.

“The agency when it is established, shall see to the elimination of malaria in Nigeria through effective waste management, fumigation and research on vaccine,” he said.

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Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy Senate President, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is expected to announce his membership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

A source close to the former Delta Central senator confirmed the development to The Whistler on Wednesday, saying that Omo-Agege submitted his resignation on May 22 before announcing his departure.

“His APC is gone. He will be announcing NDC soon,” the source said.

“You can call it an earthquake because Omo-Agege was one of the biggest political men in APC in Delta.

The source said supporters and loyalists of the former senator are expected to follow him to the NDC.

In his resignation letter to the APC chairman in Orogun Ward 2, Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Omo-Agege said his political goals were no longer in line with the party.

“My political goals and those of my constituents are better served outside the APC,” he wrote.

“I cannot continue to be a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria,” he added.

It was also reported that the resignation of Omo-Agege came 10 days after he lost the APC Delta Central senatorial primary to Senator Ede Dafinone.

Omo-Agege polled 3,643 votes in the primary held on May 17 while Dafinone scored 116,252 votes to secure the party’s ticket for a second term.

His move to the NDC comes after recent defections by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Both politicians joined the NDC early last month, saying that Nigeria needed to be rescued from worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

But since then, the party has continued to draw interest from federal lawmakers and opposition figures around the country.

James Onosakponome, an NDC chieftain in Delta State, had recently urged Omo-Agege to join the party and contest the 2027 governorship election rather than return to the Senate.

Onosakponome argued that a return to the Senate would amount to a political demotion for a former deputy senate president.

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The development also comes amidst reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified parts of INEC’s 2027 election timetable, providing a window for aggrieved aspirants who lost primaries to switch parties.

INEC has since appealed the decision.

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Ibrahim Lamido, the senator for the Sokoto East Senatorial District, has revealed why he has chosen not to run for a second term.

He clarified that the Senate lacks the administrative authority required to address the growing insecurity plaguing the local communities in an interview with reporters in Sokoto on Monday.

He clarified that he decided to run for governor because he wanted to personally address the security issues Sokoto East residents were suffering.

The legislator claimed that many residents of the district had pushed him to run for executive position, claiming that only a governor had the power and resources necessary to successfully combat banditry and other violent crimes plaguing the area.

“The insecurity that my people were experiencing made me want to run for governor. I lack the executive authority required to properly handle the problem as a senator,” Lamido stated.

However, as the African Democratic Congress reached an agreement and named former Sokoto State Deputy Governor Mannir Dan’iya as its candidate for the 2027 governorship, the senator was unable to earn the party’s governorship ticket.

Lamido declared that he will be faithful to the ADC and contribute to the party’s success in the upcoming elections despite losing the ticket.

“I’ll stay in the ADC and back the chosen candidate. For me, politics is about serving my people, not about gaining personal advantage,” he said.

In order to maintain party unity, he also revealed that every candidate running for the party’s governorship ticket agreed to the consensus plan.

“There were ten candidates, and the remaining nine have all agreed with the party’s decision,” he continued.

The post Lamido Says He Will Not Seek Senate Re-Election, Cites Lack Of Executive Powers appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Senate rescinded its amendment barring first-timers from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President on Thursday as controversy rages on the amendment of Senate Standing Rules.
The reversal was adopted following a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Jubrin Barau.
The motion he brought before the Chamber for consideration and approval is titled: “Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended”.

Presenting the motion, the Leader said: “The Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026; “The Senate observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof; “The Senate notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice; “Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework; “The Senate accordingly resolves to rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.”
The earlier amendment on Tuesday required any Senator seeking to contest for presiding or principal offices to have served in the Senate for two consecutive terms adding up to eight years.
The clause excluded newly elected Senators and those who were returning after a period away, leaving eligibility to only a few ranking lawmakers, a development that stirred agitation in the Chamber.
The rule had drawn criticism from the public, with potential victims describing it as an attempt to exclude influential political figures expected to enter the Senate in 2027, such as outgoing governors and former ministers.
The amendment was criticized as reducing democratic choice and entrenching a closed caucus, but supporters said it would guarantee experienced leadership in the Senate.
The scrapping of the rule has thrown the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly open to all elected Senators irrespective of tenure.
The decision is especially important for people like Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is expected to run for Senate in 2027, despite not serving a second term as governor.
The about-face also underscores a change in the governing party toward a more competitive and inclusive process to select the next Senate leadership, instead of one that hinges on tenure restrictions to determine who qualifies.
The amendment was said to have been done following the rumour in the media space that former Senators Hope Uzodimma, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ovie Omo-Agege were contemplating return to the Red Chamber and would likely vie for the Senate presidency in 2027.

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The Senate in Nigeria has taken decisive steps to reshape its leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections that would usher in the 11th National Assembly.

The new structure would impose more stringent eligibility rules that could bar a wave of incoming political heavyweights, including serving governors and first-time entrants.

On Tuesday’s plenary, the red chamber amended key provisions of its Standing Rules after a closed-door session lasting nearly three hours. The changes, which impact Orders 4 and 5, strengthen seniority and legislative experience as the main criteria for holding top leadership positions.

The Senate reaffirmed a rigid hierarchy for selecting presiding officers in the amended Order 4, saying “nomination of senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of senators and shall be strictly adhered to.”

“The order of ranking are (i) Former President of the Senate, (ii) Former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) Former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years, (v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, (vi) In the absence of i to v, senators elected into the Senate for the first time,” it said.

The amendment to Order 5 also imposes a more restrictive condition that essentially disqualifies new senators and those without continuous legislative experience from contesting the main offices.

The rule reads: “Any senator shall not be eligible to contest for any principal office of the Senate unless he has served as a senator for at least two consecutive terms immediately preceding nomination.”

This clause has a long reach. Lawmakers not in both the 9th and 10th National Assembly would not be eligible to contest for key leadership positions like Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and other principal positions.

The move comes against the backdrop of growing interest by outgoing governors and political heavyweights eyeing senatorial slots in the 2027 General Elections.

By May 29, 2027, no fewer than ten governors across the country are expected to finish their constitutionally allowed two terms, triggering a wave of political realignments as they try to remain relevant at the national level.

Governors like AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State are among those widely speculated to be eying senatorial seats.

Others include Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed of the Allied Peoples Movement.

Although Douye Diri and Hope Uzodimma are expected to end their terms in 2028, due to off-cycle elections, both have already been drawn into early political calculations surrounding Senate seats.

The APC is positioning Uzodinma for the Imo West senatorial seat, and political tensions are rising in Imo State.

Party leaders in the state have reportedly backed him as a consensus candidate. Presenting the nomination forms on behalf of the stakeholders, the state APC chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, urged the governor to accept the call to run, saying “accept the plea of Orlu people by filling the forms so that it can be submitted before the deadline of 5th May, 2026.”

The party has also allegedly warned other aspirants not to contest the seat, thereby strengthening Uzodinma’s stance as its preferred candidate.

But the race is far from over. Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has also picked nomination forms, indicating his intention to return to the Senate.

Uzodinma also gained further support from the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly which declared him the only candidate for the district in what it described as a “total, unanimous and irrevocable decision.”
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The political scene has been further influenced by recent indications from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to reports, declined proposals for automatic return tickets for lawmakers, instead reaffirming the power of state governors to decide on party candidates.

This position has effectively boosted governors’ power over party structures, even as they prepare for transitions from executive offices.

Against this backdrop, the Senate’s latest rule changes seem designed to protect its institutional hierarchy and prevent an influx of politically influential newcomers from immediately dominating its leadership.

Indeed, the red chamber has sent a clear message to many would-be entrants, including governors and returning political actors, that leadership in the 11th National Assembly will be determined by legislative experience among its members and not political influence from outside.

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