Aniekan Bassey takes charge as suspended female senator fights court-ordered reinstatement in escalating political standoff.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Senate appointed Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Diaspora Committee on Thursday. The appointment comes as suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains in a legal battle over her reinstatement, despite a Federal High Court order in her favour.
New Leadership Takes Charge
Senator Aniekan Bassey from Akwa Ibom North-East now controls the Senate committee overseeing diaspora affairs and NGO relations. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the appointment during Thursday’s plenary session.
“The appointment takes effect immediately,” Akpabio said. The Diaspora Committee handles issues affecting millions of Nigerians living abroad, including voting rights and investment policies. Under Akpoti-Uduaghan’s previous leadership, the committee worked on diaspora bond initiatives worth billions of naira.
Court vs. Senate: Legal Standoff
Justice Binta Nyako ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement in May and directed the senator to apologise to her colleagues and resume duties. Five months later, the senator remains out of the chamber.
The Senate claims it never received a “certified true copy” of the court judgment. Paul Daudu (SAN), the Senate’s legal counsel, stated in a July 5 opinion: “We have not received any binding directive.”
Without the certified copy, the Senate argues it cannot be compelled to act on the court’s order. Akpoti-Uduaghan says she waits for the Certified True Copy before resuming plenary attendance.
Female Representation Drops
Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only three women in the 109-member Senate. The previous Senate had eight women; this session dropped to three. Nigerian women make up roughly half the population but hold less than 3% of Senate seats.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation,” Akpoti-Uduaghan told reporters in a televised interview.
Her absence means committees lose perspective on issues affecting women and families.
Next Steps
The court order remains unenforceable due to the missing certified copy. Legal experts say this issue could be resolved quickly if both sides wanted resolution.
Bassey’s appointment allows the Diaspora Committee to continue work on diaspora voting arrangements for future elections and policies to attract foreign investment from Nigerians abroad.
The dispute tests whether judicial directives will be respected or delayed through procedural requirements. Akpoti-Uduaghan waits, the Senate proceeds, and courts monitor compliance with their authority.
By Abdullah Korede
