Akpabio Removes Natasha, Appoints Bassey as New Chair for Diaspora, NGOs C’ttee

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

In a move that formally ended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure as chairman of two strategic Senate committees, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has removed her as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Akpabio named Senator Aniekan Bassey of Cross River State as her successor.

The announcement, made at the close of  plenary, yesterday, marked a significant shift in committee leadership dynamics, bringing to an end months of speculation following Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from Senate activities in March.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was first appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content shortly after her inauguration in November 2023.

However, on February 4, 2025, her leadership of that committee was abruptly terminated during a controversial reshuffle of committee chairs led by Senate President Akpabio.

She was then reassigned to head the Diaspora and NGOs Committee. The reshuffling raised eyebrows, as it followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s high-profile oversight activities within the oil and gas sector.

The action led to speculation of political undercurrents behind her removal.

Just a month later, on March 6, she was suspended from the Senate for six months over allegations of misconduct during the reshuffle process.

Although sidelined from active duties, she technically remained Chair of the Diaspora and NGOs Committee until yesterday’s formal replacement.

Senator Bassey’s appointment was seen as part of a broader recalibration of Senate committee leadership under Akpabio’s watch, effectively closing the chapter on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s brief but eventful role at the helm of two key oversight bodies.

With the latest development, attention now turns to whether Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan would regain any committee role following the end of her suspension, or remain on the sidelines as the 10th Senate moves into its midterm phase.