Akpabio sacks Natasha as Senate’s committee chair, names replacement

The senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been removed as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal during plenary in Abuja on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Akpabio also appointed Aniekan Bassey, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Akwa Ibom North-East, as the new chairman of the committee.

“The new chairman is Senator Aniekan Bassey, and it will take effect from today,” the Senate President said.

Akpabio also announced plans to restructure other committee roles, saying a review of vice chairmanships would be undertaken in the coming week to ensure a more equitable distribution.

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He added: “We will make some changes to our vice chairmanship positions next week.

“Some of the senators have two vice chairmanship positions. Every senator should either be a chairman or a vice chairman so we balance the situation.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had previously chaired the Senate Committee on Local Content. She was relieved of the role in February and reassigned to the diaspora and NGOs portfolio.

With her latest removal, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended in March over alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Akpabio, no longer leads any Senate committee.

The Star