SENATE REPLACES AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN AS DIASPORA COMMITTEE CHAIR

The Senate has announced the replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations. She has been succeeded by Senator Aniekan Bassey (APC, Akwa Ibom North East). The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March for six months over what was described as disorderly conduct during Senate proceedings. Prior to this, she had faced two committee reassignments earlier in the year – first removed from the influential Local Content Committee in February, and then appointed to the Diaspora and NGOs committee shortly afterward.

Although a Federal High Court has since ruled that the six-month suspension was excessive and ordered her reinstatement, the official certified judgment has yet to be issued. This delay has contributed to continued uncertainty regarding her full return to Senate duties.

The Senate’s decision to replace Akpoti-Uduaghan comes despite the court ruling, leaving her future in the Senate uncertain. Akpabio’s announcement confirms the change in committee leadership, with Senator Bassey taking over as the new Chairperson of the Diaspora and NGOs committee.