The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, has said she never saw the committee report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting that she could not have endorsed a document she neither reviewed nor approved.
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Kingibe made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where she also criticised the National Assembly for what she described as its failure to effectively serve as a check on the Executive arm of government.
According to the FCT senator, she was attending a retreat on tax reforms when the report recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was being considered and therefore did not have the opportunity to review it.
“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,” she said.
Kingibe explained that she had earlier attended a sitting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, signed the attendance register and later left for the tax reform retreat, which she considered more critical to the interests of her constituents.
“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.
“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 said.
The senator maintained that she neither saw nor reviewed the report before it was submitted, adding that she was surprised to later discover that a photocopy of her signature appeared on the document.
“I couldn’t have endorsed the committee report because I didn’t see it,” she said.
Kingibe further disclosed that she complained to some of her colleagues about not having access to the report, specifically mentioning Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
“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,” she added.
She also said she raised concerns with senior members of the Senate, including the Deputy Senate President, over her inability to access the report.
While clarifying that she was not alleging forgery, Kingibe insisted that lawmakers should be given adequate opportunity to review committee reports before signing them or before their signatures are relied upon.
She criticised what she described as a practice where reports are sometimes signed without proper scrutiny, arguing that such procedures undermine transparency and accountability within the legislature.
“The truth of the matter is there are many things that I feel should not be the way they are,” she stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension by the Senate had generated widespread public debate and legal challenges, with critics questioning the process that led to the disciplinary action and its implications for legislative oversight and representation.
Kingibe’s comments add a fresh dimension to the controversy, suggesting that not all lawmakers linked to the committee proceedings had access to the report that formed the basis of the Senate’s decision.
Her remarks also come after the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, alleged on Monday that the signatures of at least three senators were either forged or improperly included in the report that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension.
Oshiomhole’s allegation followed a statement by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who described Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.
Speaking further on the suspension, Kingibe said the matter could have been handled differently and suggested that Senate procedures on disciplinary issues should be improved.
She noted that previous disputes involving lawmakers were often resolved through apologies rather than lengthy suspensions.
According to her, senators who violate parliamentary rules typically acknowledge their mistakes and apologise to colleagues, bringing such matters to a close.
Kingibe said the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension lasted longer than necessary and argued that an apology could have resolved the issue earlier.
Beyond the suspension controversy, Kingibe also criticised the National Assembly for what she described as its failure to effectively check the excesses of the Executive.
She accused lawmakers of acting more as partners of the presidency than as an independent institution constitutionally charged with oversight and accountability.
“I don’t think the Senate is performing its constitutional role effectively as a check on executive power, because most of what the executive does… I know the people stand and complain and blame the presidency for a lot of things, but they wouldn’t really do them if we didn’t let them,” Kingibe said.
She added: “Unfortunately, we are a cooperating arm of the Executive.”
According to the senator, many actions attributed solely to the presidency are enabled by the acquiescence of the National Assembly, adding that lawmakers must also take responsibility for decisions often blamed on the Executive alone.
Kingibe said an effective democracy requires a legislature that is willing to scrutinise government policies and decisions, hold the Executive accountable and act independently in the interest of citizens.
Her comments come amid renewed public debate over the independence of the legislature and the role of the National Assembly in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance under the current administration.
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