Akpabio Removes Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Diaspora Committee Chair

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has removed Senator Natasha H. Akpoti, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), while replacing her with Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom State.

Senator Akpoti’s removal marks the second time in 2024 she has been stripped of a committee leadership role. Earlier in February, she was relieved of her position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and subsequently reassigned to chair the Diaspora and NGOs Committee.

With this latest decision, Senator Akpoti is currently not assigned to chair any Senate committee, a development that could impact her legislative influence within the upper chamber.

Recall that Senator Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan have been embroiled in legal battle after the Federal Government sued Senator Natasha on behalf of the Senate President and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for false accusations, cyberbullying and defamation. Senator Natasha had accused the duo of an alleged attempt to get life.

The Federal High Court in Abuja awarded a N5 million compensation against Senator Natasha for contempt and asked the Senate to reinstate her as they acted beyond their constitutional powers.