The Nigerian Senate has appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, replacing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who remains suspended from legislative activities.
The announcement was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session, confirming Bassey’s elevation to the position. Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, assumes the role at a time when the upper chamber continues to grapple with controversies surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February 2025 after being removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle. However, her suspension has since prevented her from performing any legislative duties.
While the Senate did not provide an official reason for her removal on Thursday, insiders believe the move is directly linked to her unresolved suspension. In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ruled the suspension “excessive and unconstitutional,” ordering her reinstatement and directing her to offer an apology to the Senate.
Despite the court’s judgment, the Senate has argued that it has yet to receive the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling. Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a televised interview on Tuesday, said she was awaiting the CTC before returning to plenary, following legal counsel and in respect for due process.
“I will not take any step until I receive the certified copy. This is not just about me; it’s about upholding the rule of law and respecting the institution I belong to,” she said.
A legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), contends that the judgment does not contain any enforceable orders compelling the Senate to lift her suspension immediately.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the 10th National Assembly—down from eight in the previous session—criticized the delay as a violation of democratic principles and women’s representation.
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“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central—it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation,” she stated.
Her continued absence has drawn concern from civil society groups and gender advocates, who argue that the Senate is setting a dangerous precedent by ignoring a judicial directive and sidelining one of its few female voices.
The Senate’s decision to proceed with a new appointment despite the court ruling further complicates the situation and raises questions about legislative accountability and the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria.
As Aniekan Bassey takes over leadership of the Diaspora and NGOs Committee, political observers will be watching closely to see whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will eventually be reinstated or if her suspension marks a deeper political rift within the Red Chamber.