Although the Senate did not disclose a formal reason for the replacement, it is widely believed to be connected to the unresolved controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
…names Aniekan Bassey as replacement
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – In a fresh twist to the battle between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate has appointed Sen. Aniekan Bassey as the new chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Bassey replaces Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had held the position since February after a minor reshuffle saw her moved from the Senate Committee on Local Content. Her tenure in the new role, however, was short-lived, as she was suspended from the Senate in June.
The appointment was announced at plenary on Thursday, July 10, 2025, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who said Bassey would immediately assume responsibilities as chair of the committee.
Although the Senate did not disclose a formal reason for the replacement, it is widely believed to be connected to the unresolved controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had ruled in her favour last week, with Justice Binta Nyako ordering her reinstatement and directing her to offer a formal apology to the Senate for her conduct. But the Senate leadership has insisted it has yet to receive a certified true copy of the court judgement and therefore cannot act on it.
With the latest appointment, Senator Bassey is now expected to steer the Senate’s oversight and engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora and non-governmental organisations at home and abroad.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s future in the red chamber remains unclear as the Senate continues to maintain its position on procedural compliance with court orders.