The Nigerian Senate has removed embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from her position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing her with Senator Aniekan Bassey.
The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary session by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who has been having a running battle with Akpoti-Uduaghan, which resulted in her suspension.
Senator Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East, will now oversee legislative matters relating to Nigeria’s diaspora community and non-governmental organisations.
Natasha’s exit linked to suspension
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, was previously removed from her role as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content in February and reassigned to the Diaspora Committee. However, her recent suspension from the Senate cast a shadow over her continued leadership of the committee.
Although the Senate has not officially stated the reason for her replacement, many observers see it as tied to the unresolved nature of her disciplinary status.
A Federal High Court ruling, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, had ordered her reinstatement and asked her to tender an apology to the Senate. But the Senate leadership maintains that it has not yet received a certified true copy of the judgment, leaving her suspension technically in place.
Bassey takes over
With Thursday’s announcement, Senator Aniekan Bassey assumes leadership of the key committee focused on diaspora engagement and civil society affairs. His appointment, according to the announcement, takes immediate effect.
