Senate President Godswill Akpabio has undertaken a reshuffling of standing committees, introducing changes to the parliamentary cabinet.
In this adjustment, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo) was appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, while Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party assumed the role of Chairperson for the Senate Committee on Local Content. Akpabio announced these changes during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The restructuring of the standing committees comes three months after their initial composition in August, which included the formation of approximately 72 committees.
In the latest development, Akpabio replaced committees chaired by previously dismissed senators with new appointments.
The Senate President named several senators as chairmen and vice chairman of standing committees, emphasizing that the rearrangement aimed at enhancing effectiveness.
Notable appointments include Amos Yohanna (PDP, Adamawa North) as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South) as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Community Engagement, and Senator Patrick Ndubueze (APC-Imo) as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development.
However, uproar ensued during Tuesday’s session following the announcement of two minority leaders by Akpabio.
The positions became vacant after the Court of Appeal nullified the elections of Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon (PDP, Plateau North) and Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia Central), the former occupants of the Minority Leader and Minority Whip seats, respectively.
Senators Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) and Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West) were announced as the new Minority Leader and Minority Whip.
The announcement triggered discontent among lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP), with Senator Okechukwu Ezea (LP, Enugu North) protesting their exclusion from the minority leadership.
A rowdy session ensued as LP lawmakers rejected their party’s exclusion, accusing Akpabio of interference in the affairs of opposition parties.
Akpabio defended his actions, stating that he announced the names forwarded to him by the opposition caucus and urged them to put their house in order before making such submissions.
Despite attempts to pacify LP lawmakers, the disagreement persisted, with accusations of unfairness and injustice.
Akpabio maintained that he followed the majority support within the opposition caucus and ruled out any interference in their decision-making process.
The Senate President emphasized the importance of respecting the voice of the majority in the selection of leaders.
