Drama Unfolds: Akpabio Strips Natasha Of Key Role Amid Senate Tensions

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Kogi Central, has been relieved of her position as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations. This decision, approved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, comes shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Senate to reinstate the senator following her earlier suspension this year.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Previously, Akpoti-Uduaghan chaired the Senate Committee on Local Content but was removed from that role in February. She was subsequently reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee, a position she has now also lost. Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North East, has been named as her successor, effectively leaving Akpoti-Uduaghan without any committee leadership responsibilities as she returns to legislative duties.

During Thursday’s plenary session, Senate President Akpabio hinted at a wider reorganization of committee roles, noting that vice chairmanships would be reviewed in the coming week to ensure fairer representation among senators.

“We’ll be making adjustments to the vice chairmanship positions next week,” Akpabio said. “Some senators currently hold two roles. Every senator should either be a chairman or a vice chairman so we can achieve balance.”

This shake-up follows a recent ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, who deemed the six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan “excessive” and ordered her immediate reinstatement. Delivering judgment in Abuja, Justice Nyako criticized the Senate’s use of Chapter 8 of its Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, describing them as ambiguous and overly broad.

The court noted that Nigerian lawmakers are constitutionally allotted 181 sitting days per legislative session, and that suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months effectively denied her the opportunity to represent her constituents for nearly the entire session.

While affirming the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, the court emphasized that such actions must be proportionate and must not infringe on the constitutional rights of the people they represent.