Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) faces deeper political setbacks within the Senate as she has now been stripped of her role as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), leaving her without any leadership position in the 10th Assembly.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision during Wednesday’s plenary session, replacing Akpoti-Uduaghan with Senator Aniekan Bassey. No formal explanation accompanied the announcement, and it takes immediate effect.

This marks the second time in 2025 that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been removed from a Senate committee chairmanship. Back in February, she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content and reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee—a position she has now lost just five months later.

Akpabio hinted that further changes were coming as part of a broader review of Senate committee leadership structures. “We will be reviewing vice-chairmanships next week,” he said, noting that some senators currently hold multiple vice-chair roles. He added that “each senator should hold either a chair or vice-chair position for a fairer distribution.”

Senate Targets Stronger Disciplinary Powers Amid Fallout from Suspension Ruling

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s latest demotion comes as the Senate pushes to tighten its internal disciplinary processes. Just days earlier, the chamber took the first step toward amending its Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act to include clearer punitive provisions for members who violate the Senate’s code of conduct.

The proposed changes follow a Federal High Court ruling that challenged the legality of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension. Justice Binta Nyako ruled on July 4 that the Legislative Houses Act, under which the Senate based its decision, does not specify any duration for suspensions and thus could not justify the lengthy penalty imposed on the senator.

To address this legal loophole, the Senate introduced a bill titled “Re-tightening Disciplinary Measures Against Erring Members and Other Related Matters,” sponsored by Senator Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC, Borno Central), who chairs the Senate Committee on Special Duties. The bill, SB. 708, passed first reading on Tuesday and could reach second reading as early as Wednesday next week.

Speaking to reporters, Senator Kaka explained that the proposed amendment aims to inject clarity into the Senate’s disciplinary framework. “The purpose is to specify duration and processes for punishment,” he said. “It’s about fine-tuning the current provisions to meet present realities.”

Court Ruling Casts Doubt on Suspension’s Validity

The Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025, for six months following her accusations of sexual harassment against Senate President Akpabio. The move stemmed from a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen (APC, Edo South).

During a heated plenary session, Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to raise concerns after discovering that her Senate seat had been reassigned without notice. Her nameplate had been removed and placed elsewhere, a move she said was designed to silence her.

She was denied the floor to speak and was subsequently suspended after a majority of senators voted in support of the Ethics Committee’s disciplinary report.

Her suspension came with sweeping penalties: removal of her salary and security detail, denial of access to the National Assembly complex, sealing of her office, and withdrawal of payments to her legislative aides.

The Senate ruled that she could not return until either the full six-month period elapsed or she issued a formal apology to the chamber—a condition she has yet to meet.

Awaiting Certified Judgment Before Return

Despite the court ruling in her favor, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has not resumed legislative duties. In a recent interview, she stated that she is still waiting for the Certified True Copy of the judgment before taking further steps. She emphasized that her actions are guided by legal advice and respect for parliamentary protocol.

“I am not rushing back to the chamber,” she said. “I’m following due process and waiting for the official documentation.”

A Growing Rift and Political Fallout

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ongoing conflict with Senate leadership, particularly Akpabio, continues to deepen. Her removal from two committee chairmanships in less than five months—without public explanation—suggests worsening relations between the Kogi senator and Senate leadership.

Political observers note that the Senate’s decision to amend its powers and disciplinary provisions may be a direct response to the legal challenges it has faced in the fallout of her suspension.

For now, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains sidelined with no committee leadership role and an uncertain return timeline—even as the court has ruled her suspension was unlawful. The Senate’s upcoming vote on the amendment bill will likely determine whether future disciplinary actions become more clearly defined—or more controversial.