Akpabio sacks Natasha as Diaspora Committee Chairman

The Senate has officially removed the lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmentall 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.

SOURCE: PUNCH