Akpabio replaces Natasha as diaspora committee chair

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, has been removed as chairman of the senate committee on diaspora and NGOs.

The Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during plenary on Thursday, thus confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension

Akpabio named Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom north-east, as the new chairman of the diaspora and NGOs committee. 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,” he said.

Akpabio also hinted at a broader reshuffling of committee positions, saying a review of vice chairmanships would be undertaken in the coming week to ensure a more equitable distribution.

“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,” he said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had previously chaired the senate committee on local content until her removal in February.

She was subsequently reassigned to head the diaspora and NGOs committee.

With her latest removal, she no longer holds the chairmanship of any senate committee.

It would be recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March over alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Akpabio over seating arrangements.

Although no reason was given for her removal on Thursday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.