‘ It Was Photocopy Of My Signature On Natasha’s Suspension Report’ — Ireti Kingibe

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has distanced herself from the Senate committee report that recommended disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, noting that she was surprised seeing the photocopy of her signature on the report.

She said this in an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday, during which 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.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), Senator Ireti Kingibe explained that although she attended a meeting of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, she left shortly afterwards to participate in a retreat on tax reform, which she considered more relevant to her constituents.

Kingibe maintained that she neither saw nor reviewed the report before it was submitted.

According to her, 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.

The FCT senator disclosed that she subsequently 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.

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.

Kingibe said the Akpoti-Uduaghan matter could have been handled differently, and suggested that Senate procedures regarding disciplinary issues could 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.

Faults Senate as executive’s ‘cooperating arm’
Also, Kingibe argued that the legislature has increasingly functioned as a “cooperating arm” of the Executive rather than an independent institution responsible for oversight and accountability.

According to the senator, many actions attributed to the Executive would not succeed without the acquiescence of the National Assembly.

“I don’t think the Senate is performing its constitutional role effectively as a check on executive power,” she said, adding that lawmakers share responsibility for many decisions often blamed solely on the presidency.

Kingibe’s comments come amid ongoing debates about the independence of the legislature and its relationship with the Executive under the current administration.

SOURCE: VANGUARD