Abuja: The Senate has removed Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) as Chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations. President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, made the announcement during Thursday’s plenary, replacing Natasha with Sen. Aniekan Bassey. He stated, “There is a change in the committee chairmanship. The Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations will now be chaired by Sen. Aniekan Bassey.”
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the committee is tasked with monitoring diaspora networks and NGOs, providing guidance on home remittances, and facilitating dialogue with governments and local authorities. The committee also promotes the exchange of ideas between Nigerians at home and abroad and oversees annual budget estimates related to diaspora affairs.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was previously reassigned to the Diaspora Committee on February 4 after her removal as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, as part of a reshuffle in committee leadership. Her reassignment was followed by a heated altercation in the Senate chamber over seating arrangements, culminating in a confrontation with Senate President Akpabio.
The situation escalated on March 6 when Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate after she publicly accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. However, a Federal High Court in Abuja had last week ordered the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District. In reaction to the court judgment, the Senate, through its Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Yemi Adaramodu, stated that the Senate was yet to be served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the said judgment.