Senate Replaces Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan with Senator Bassey as Diaspora Committee Chair

The Nigerian Senate has officially removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Her replacement, Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East, was named on Thursday, July 10, during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

No formal explanation was provided during the announcement of the reshuffle, but the decision has raised questions within political and civil society circles. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three women in the 10th National Assembly, has been at the center of political tension in recent months, particularly involving confrontations with Senate leadership.

This is not the first time Akpoti-Uduaghan has faced changes in committee leadership. Earlier this year, she was reassigned from her position as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee.

In March, she was suspended by the Senate for alleged misconduct during a closed-door session, following a dispute with Senate President Akpabio over seating arrangements. Though a Federal High Court later ruled her suspension unconstitutional and void, the Senate leadership maintained its stance, insisting it had not received certified court documents and demanding an apology from the senator before reconsidering her reinstatement.

Following her removal on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan currently holds no chairmanship or committee assignment, a development that has sparked concern among observers who see the move as politically motivated.

Senate President Akpabio also hinted that the shake-up was part of a broader reorganization within Senate committees.

He announced that a review of vice-chairmanships would follow to ensure what he called a more “equitable” distribution of leadership roles across party lines and regions.

Civil society organisations and gender advocacy groups have condemned the move, describing it as a deliberate attempt to sideline a vocal female lawmaker. Some argue that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal represents a pattern of silencing strong female voices in a male-dominated legislature.

Senator Aniekan Bassey, her replacement, is a first-term senator from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Prior to joining the Senate, Bassey served as the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and is known for his focus on youth empowerment and community development.

As of press time, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not issued a formal response to her removal, and it remains unclear whether she will be reassigned to another committee or if further legal or political challenges will ensue.