Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally announced the removal of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
The announcement, made during plenary on Thursday, confirmed Senator Aniekan Bassey as her replacement. The decision follows ongoing uncertainty surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s status in the Red Chamber, following her suspension earlier in the legislative session.
In February, she was removed from her previous role as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee, a move widely seen as a demotion.
Though no official reason was given for her removal, it is widely believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension. A ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had ordered her reinstatement, contingent upon her issuing a formal apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court’s judgement. Meanwhile, Akpoti-Uduaghan has yet to tender the required apology.
