Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced a leadership change within the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new chairman.
The announcement was made during plenary on Thursday, effectively ending the uncertainty surrounding Natasha’s role within the committee following her suspension.
Earlier in February, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to lead the Diaspora and NGOs Committee. However, her position in the latter had remained in question due to ongoing disciplinary issues.
Though no official explanation was given for her latest removal, the decision is believed to be linked to her unresolved suspension from the Senate.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had earlier ruled in favor of Natasha’s reinstatement, ordering her to tender a formal apology to the Senate for her alleged misconduct. However, the Senate leadership insists it has not yet received a certified true copy of the court’s judgment.
In the meantime, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to issue the required apology, leaving her position within the chamber in limbo and prompting the leadership to move forward with her replacement.
Senator Aniekan Bassey’s appointment signals a continued reshuffling within the upper chamber as the Senate seeks to stabilize committee leadership amid ongoing internal disputes.