The Senate has officially removed the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
She was officially replaced by the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, Aniekan Bassey.
The announcement was made by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, at the close of Thursday’s plenary session.
The move marks the latest development in a series of committee leadership changes involving the Kogi Central lawmaker.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was originally appointed as chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content, following her swearing-in as senator in November 2023.
However, on February 4, 2025, Akpabio reshuffled the committee leadership, a legislative move that saw her being removed from Local Content to the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs where she was reassigned.
The reshuffle sparked stirred controversy, as it came shortly after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s active oversight of oil and gas agencies, with some observers suggesting political motives behind her removal.
The altercations that ensued led to her suspension at the Senate for six months.
Although no reason was given for her removal on Thursday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
On July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it had not received a Certified True Copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite the court ruling.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, she said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to the plenary, citing legal advice and respect for the institutional process.
