The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has appointed Senator Benson Sunday Konbowei of Bayelsa Central as the new Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on the South-South Development Commission. The announcement was made during plenary on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
Senator Konbowei will be leading a 12-member team tasked with overseeing matters concerning the South-South region. His deputy on the committee is Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong. Other appointed members include Senators Onowakpo Thomas Joel, Benson Friday Agadaga, Neda Bernards Imasuen, Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, Samson Ekong, Samaila Dahuwa Kaila, Mustapha Musa, Patrick Ndubueze, Idiat Oluranti Adebule, and Mustapha Saliu.
Dr. Konbowei, who represents the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is not new to leadership roles. Before his election to the National Assembly in 2023, he served as the Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government. His long career in politics began in 1992 when he was elected a councillor. Since then, he has held several public offices, including serving as the Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and as Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. He is also a three-term legislator at the state level.
Senate President Akpabio noted that the appointments were part of efforts to improve legislative oversight and strengthen committee leadership across important sectors. The newly formed South-South Committee is expected to help tackle regional challenges and support developmental goals in the Niger Delta area.
