In a move that stirred quiet speculation within Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, the Senate on Thursday announced the removal of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chair of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), replacing her with Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East.
The announcement, made during plenary, came without any official explanation for the sudden shift, though Senator Bassey is expected to assume the role immediately.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was only recently appointed to the Diaspora Committee on February 4, 2025, after she was previously relieved of her role as Chair of the Committee on Local Content.
Her latest removal marks yet another adjustment in the Senate’s committee leadership, part of what observers view as a quiet reshuffling that has unfolded over recent months.
While no reasons were publicly offered during Thursday’s proceedings, the change has drawn attention in political circles, especially as Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has continued to be a prominent voice on issues related to diaspora engagement and NGO oversight.
In another emotionally charged development, the Senate passed a resolution calling on President Bola Tinubu to, on compassionate grounds, authorize federal support for the family of late two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was tragically killed in July 2023 during an operation conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Asaba, Delta State.
The resolution followed a petition submitted by Senator Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. The petition detailed how NDLEA operatives, during a routine raid, opened fire indiscriminately, fatally striking the toddler as he returned home from school with family members.
The tragic loss of young Ivan shocked the nation and reignited public debate around law enforcement accountability, particularly concerning the use of lethal force in civilian spaces.
Reacting to the petition, the Senate condemned the killing in strong terms, labeling it an unjustifiable tragedy that must not be swept under the carpet. Senators were unanimous in their call for accountability, asserting that the NDLEA must take full responsibility and pay the ₦200 million compensation demanded by the bereaved family.
“This is about justice, not just for the child, but for every Nigerian who deserves protection from the very agencies meant to safeguard them,” one senator said during the deliberation.
In a solemn gesture, the chamber observed a minute of silence in memory of Ivan, marking the emotional gravity of the issue and the Senate’s resolve to ensure closure for the grieving family.
The Senate further instructed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure the resolution is implemented in full and report back within two months. The directive signals the chamber’s intention to follow through and exert oversight pressure on the relevant agencies.
With growing public scrutiny on both law enforcement practices and the internal workings of the Senate, Thursday’s session highlighted the upper chamber’s complex balancing act—managing political changes within its own leadership ranks while also responding to urgent national tragedies demanding justice and reform.
What you should know
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chair of the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs and replaced her with Senator Aniekan Bassey without providing a reason.
The chamber also urged President Tinubu to assist the NDLEA in paying ₦200 million to the family of a toddler, Ivan Omhonrina, who was fatally shot during a botched raid in Asaba in July 2023.
The Senate condemned the killing and called for full accountability, directing its compliance committee to ensure the resolution is enforced.
