Akpabio Replaces Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Head of Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has officially removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from her position as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations. The announcement was made during a plenary session held on Thursday.

In her place, Senator Aniekan Bassey has now been appointed to head the committee, taking over from Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose continued leadership had been under speculation due to her suspension from Senate activities.

It should be noted that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously been the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content, but during a minor reshuffling that took place in February, she was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee. Since then, her position within the Senate structure has remained uncertain, particularly following disciplinary actions.

Although the Senate did not release any official statement explaining the motive behind her removal, several observers believe the decision may be closely linked to her ongoing suspension.

Earlier, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had issued a ruling ordering the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate. As part of that judicial directive, she was expected to render a formal apology to the Senate for actions considered inappropriate.

However, the Senate leadership has maintained that it has not yet received an authenticated (certified true) copy of the court judgment for enforcement. At the same time, Akpoti-Uduaghan herself has yet to comply with the directive to issue a formal apology, which remains a necessary step in the process of reinstatement.