The Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during Thursday’s plenary session, naming Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East as her replacement. Bassey is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The new chairman is Distinguished Senator Aniekan Bassey, and it will take effect from today,” Akpabio said.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
The Senate President also hinted at a broader reshuffling of leadership within the red chamber, particularly concerning vice chairmanship roles. According to him, the move is part of efforts to achieve a fairer distribution of responsibilities among senators.
“We will make some changes to our vice chairmanship positions next week. Some of the senators have two vice chairmanship positions. Every senator should either be a chairman or a vice chairman so we balance the situation,” Akpabio stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), previously chaired the Senate Committee on Local Content. She was removed from that position in February and subsequently reassigned to lead the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs.
Although no official reason was given for her removal on Thursday, the change comes amid unresolved issues surrounding her suspension.
A recent ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate for her conduct.
