Akpabio removes Natasha as senate’s committee chair

In a significant reshuffle within the Nigerian Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has relieved Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of her position as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary session, sparking renewed debate over internal dynamics within the National Assembly. Replacing her is Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East and is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The new chairman is Distinguished Senator Aniekan Bassey, and it will take effect from today,” Akpabio declared.

He also revealed plans to restructure other committee roles, particularly among vice chairs, in order to promote a more balanced distribution of responsibilities.

“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 added.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator representing Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had previously chaired the Senate Committee on Local Content. She was relieved of that role in February and reassigned to the diaspora and NGOs portfolio.

Following her latest removal, Akpoti-Uduaghan no longer leads any Senate committee.

She was previously suspended in March over allegations of misconduct stemming from a disagreement with Akpabio regarding seating arrangements in the chamber.