Kingibe Denies Seeing Report Behind Akpoti-Uduaghan's Suspension

Ireti Kingibe, a senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, stated in an interview that she did not see the committee report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Kingibe attended a Senate retreat focused on tax reform when the report was considered but did not have the opportunity to review it.

She mentioned that three or four senators were involved in the committee that recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan's six-month suspension. Kingibe noted that she left the retreat early and criticized her colleagues for not having access to the report, specifically mentioning Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe's complaints about not seeing the report until after Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension.

The situation has sparked widespread public debate and legal challenges regarding the disciplinary process, with Senator Adam Oshiomhole alleging that at least three senators' signatures were improperly included in the report. Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele described Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension as one of the lowest moments of the 10th Senate.