Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Senate, has dismissed claims that she personally endorsed the committee report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Speaking during an interview, Kingibe explained that she neither reviewed nor approved the report before it was submitted, insisting that she was absent when the committee concluded its work.
According to her, she attended the committee meeting only briefly to sign the attendance register before leaving for a tax reform retreat, which she considered more important to her constituents.
“I was not there when the report was concluded. I attended the meeting, signed the attendance register and left for the tax reform retreat because I believed it was more relevant to the people I represent,” she said.
Kingibe recalled that when news of the report emerged, she questioned how it had been prepared since she and several other committee members had already left for the retreat.
Addressing concerns over the appearance of her signature on the document, the senator acknowledged that a photocopy of her signature was attached to the report but stressed that she never signed the report itself.
She revealed that she had complained to senior Senate officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, about not being given access to the report before it was submitted.
“I have never said that anyone forged my signature. What I have consistently maintained is that I did not see the report and therefore could not have endorsed it,” she stated.
Kingibe further criticized what she described as flaws in Senate procedures, arguing that lawmakers should be allowed to review committee reports before signing them.
She maintained that reports should be circulated to committee members for proper examination before approval, adding that she never had the opportunity to read the report recommending Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension despite her signature appearing on the document.
The senator reiterated that she could not have knowingly endorsed a report she had neither seen nor reviewed.
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