The Nigerian Senate has appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during Thursday’s plenary session.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously been reassigned to the committee in February after her removal from the Senate Committee on Local Content. Although no specific reason was provided for her replacement, it is widely believed to be linked to her ongoing suspension.
Despite a recent court ruling that ordered her reinstatement, Akpoti-Uduaghan has not returned to her legislative duties, citing the need for a Certified True Copy of the judgment. She expressed concerns that her continued absence is a denial of representation for her constituents, particularly women and children.
As the Senate navigates these changes, Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East, will take the lead on issues concerning the diaspora and NGOs, while the implications of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s situation continue to unfold.
