The Senate has appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new head of its Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who is still under suspension.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during Thursday’s session, noting that Bassey will replace Natasha, who has not returned to her role despite a recent court ruling in her favour.
Bassey represents Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District and is expected to take over the committee’s affairs with immediate effect.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had earlier been moved to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February. That change came after she was removed as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffling of positions within the Senate.
Although the Senate did not give an official reason for her removal during Thursday’s plenary, sources believe it may be connected to the unresolved issues around her suspension.
Back in May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ruled in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s favour, declaring that her suspension was “excessive and unconstitutional.”
The court directed that she be reinstated and asked her to apologise to the Senate. However, the Senate claims it has not yet received the Certified True Copy of that judgment.
Speaking during a recent television interview, the senator representing Kogi Central explained that she is waiting for the official court document before making a formal return to the chambers.
She stated that her decision was based on legal guidance and her respect for the proper process.
“I am waiting for the Certified True Copy of the judgment before I return officially to plenary,” she said.
A legal opinion dated July 5 and reportedly issued by Senate lawyer Paul Daudu (SAN) claims the court ruling does not provide a firm directive that forces the Senate to bring her back.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is one of only three women currently in the Senate, said the Senate’s refusal to allow her return was not only denying the people of Kogi Central their voice but also affecting female representation in the legislative arm.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central—it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
