Akpabio removes Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as diaspora committee chair

The Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) as the chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who announced this during Thursday’s plenary, replaced Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan with Aniekan Bassey.

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, and facilitating dialogue with governments and local authorities.

“The committee is also saddled with promoting the exchange of ideas between Nigerians at home and abroad.

“It also oversees annual budget estimates related to diaspora affairs,” Mr Akpabio said.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was previously reassigned to the diaspora committee on February 4 after she was removed as the 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 Mr Akpabio.

The situation escalated on March 6 when Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate after she publicly accused Mr Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

However, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had last week ordered the Senate to recall Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

But in a reaction to the court judgment, the Senate, through its Committee on Media and Public Affairs chairman, Yemi Adaramodu, said the upper chamber was yet to be served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the said judgment.

(NAN)