Senate replaces Akpoti-Uduaghan with Bassey as diaspora committee chair

Summary

• Senator Aniekan Bassey appointed to replace suspended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
• Leadership change comes amid court ruling and unresolved Senate suspension
• Move draws attention to gender representation and legislative transparency

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate has announced a major leadership change within its Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, naming Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new chairman, replacing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Thursday, 10 July 2025.

Senator Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East under the All Progressives Congress (APC), assumes the role immediately. His appointment follows months of dormancy in the committee’s activities, largely attributed to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension from the Senate earlier in the year.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-term senator from Kogi Central (PDP), was suspended on 6 March for what the Senate described as “gross misconduct” and “unparliamentary behaviour”. Although a Federal High Court ruling in May declared the six-month suspension unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement, the Senate claims it has not received a certified copy of the judgment, stalling her return to legislative duties.

This is the second time Akpoti-Uduaghan has been removed from a committee leadership role in 2025. She was earlier stripped of her position as Chair of the Local Content Committee during a reshuffle in February, and reassigned to the Diaspora Committee, a move many viewed as a demotion. Her continued exclusion from committee leadership has raised questions around judicial compliance, due process, and the shrinking space for female representation in the 10th Senate, where only three women currently serve.

Speaking on the matter, Akpoti-Uduaghan argued that her exclusion silences not only her constituents in Kogi Central but also Nigerian women and children more broadly. Civil society organisations and gender rights groups have echoed concerns over the Senate’s apparent disregard for the court ruling and its impact on inclusivity.

Senator Bassey’s appointment is seen as part of a broader recalibration of Senate committee leadership under Akpabio’s direction, with further changes to vice chairmanships reportedly expected.

Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu described the move as a routine restructuring and urged observers not to interpret it through “partisan or personal lenses”.

However, the lack of transparency around Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal, coupled with her unresolved legal status, has sparked ongoing speculation. Analysts point to possible political motives, including tensions between her and the Senate leadership following public allegations she made against Akpabio.

While the Senate has not officially addressed these claims, the timing of her removal has intensified scrutiny.

Senator Bassey is expected to revive the work of the Diaspora and NGOs Committee, which plays a crucial role in overseeing diaspora engagement, remittance flows, and NGO coordination. His leadership will likely focus on reactivating stalled committee functions and reinforcing Nigeria’s engagement with its global diaspora community.

The development adds a new layer to ongoing debates about political accountability, institutional independence, and gender parity in Nigeria’s legislative processes. As attention turns to whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will return to active parliamentary duties, observers await further clarity on the Senate’s position regarding the court’s reinstatement order.