Senate President Akpabio Removes Suspended Senator from Key Committee Leadership
Senate President Godswill Akpabio officially removed suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from her position as chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations during Thursday’s plenary session.
Senator Aniekan Bassey now takes over the committee leadership role, replacing Akpoti-Uduaghan whose tenure had faced mounting uncertainty. The announcement marks a significant reshuffling within the Senate’s committee structure.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had been serving as the committee chair before her suspension created questions about her continued leadership capacity. The senator’s removal from the influential diaspora committee eliminates the administrative complications her suspended status created.
The Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations oversees critical policies affecting millions of Nigerians living abroad and coordinates with civil society organizations. Bassey’s appointment ensures continuity in the committee’s operations during this transition period.
This leadership change reflects broader Senate efforts to maintain functional committee operations despite internal challenges. The move comes as the upper legislative chamber continues addressing various administrative and disciplinary matters affecting its members.
The replacement demonstrates Akpabio’s authority to restructure committee assignments when circumstances require immediate action. Bassey’s new role positions him to guide diaspora-related legislation and NGO oversight policies moving forward.
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