In a significant reshuffle within the Nigerian Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been replaced as chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations by Senator Aniekan Bassey.
The announcement came during Thursday’s plenary session when Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the appointment of Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had been reassigned to this committee earlier this year after losing her previous chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
The Senate has not officially stated the reasons behind the recent change, but it is widely believed to be connected to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing suspension. The senator was suspended earlier, but a Federal High Court ruling in May declared the suspension “excessive and unconstitutional,” ordering her reinstatement and an apology from the Senate.
Despite the court’s directive, the Senate has maintained that it has not received a certified true copy of the judgment, preventing Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her legislative duties.
In a recent interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed frustration over the delay, saying she is waiting for the official court documentation before returning to the Senate floor. She also highlighted the broader implications of her absence, noting that “the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central—it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation,” especially as female senators have dwindled from eight to three.
A legal opinion from the Senate’s senior counsel suggests the court ruling does not mandate immediate reinstatement, adding complexity to the situation.
With this change, Senator Aniekan Bassey steps into the role, marking a new chapter for the Diaspora and NGOs Committee.