The Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing her with Senator Aniekan Bassey.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the change during Thursday’s plenary session.
He stated, “There is a change in the committee chairmanship. The Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations will now be chaired by Senator Aniekan Bassey.”
The committee is tasked with monitoring diaspora networks and NGOs, providing guidance on home remittances, facilitating dialogue with governments and local authorities, and promoting the exchange of ideas between Nigerians at home and abroad. It also oversees annual budget estimates related to diaspora affairs.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was previously reassigned to the Diaspora Committee on February 4 after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, as part of a broader 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.
