Senate Removes Natasha Akpoti As Diaspora Committee Chair, Appoints New Leader

The Nigerian Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chair of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations.

Natasha Akpoti was replaced by Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East.

The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary session, but no reason was given for the change.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had only been in the role since February 4, 2025, after previously being removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

Her replacement on Thursday marks another reshuffle in the Senate’s committee leadership which is believed to be connected to her lingering suspension controversy.

In May, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, escribed her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her reinstatement.

However, the Senate claims it has not yet received the Certified True Copy of the ruling, a necessary document before taking further action, according to their position.

Despite the court’s decision, Natasha Akpoti, who has not returned to Senate plenary sessions, explained that she’s holding off on resuming her duties until she receives the court judgment.

Meanwhile, a legal opinion issued by the Senate’s legal counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the court’s ruling did not include any direct enforcement order requiring the Senate to reinstate her.

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently arranged on six new charges for allegedly defaming Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.