By Milcah Tanimu
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced a reshuffling of standing committees, naming Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content. This rearrangement, made during plenary, comes three months after the initial committee composition.
Akpabio, addressing the Senate, cited the need for effectiveness as the reason behind the committee leadership changes. The new appointments include senators taking over committees previously chaired by sacked senators.
Among the notable changes, Amos Yohanna was named Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Community Engagement, Patrick Ndubueze as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development, Shuaibu Lau as Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, and Binos Yaroe as Chairman of the Committee on State and Local Government Affairs.
However, an uproar ensued during the announcement of two minority leaders, with the Senate Minority Leader and Minority Whip seats becoming vacant due to court decisions. Senator Abba Moro was named Minority Leader and Osita Ngwu as Minority Whip, both receiving the majority support of their colleagues in the opposition.
The announcement faced opposition from the Labour Party (LP) representatives, who raised concerns about their exclusion from the minority leadership positions. Senator Okechukwu Ezea protested what he deemed as an injustice against other minority parties, claiming that the PDP took three minority leadership seats. The Senate session turned rowdy, with LP lawmakers rejecting their party’s exclusion.
In response, Akpabio defended his role, stating that he only announced names forwarded to him by the opposition caucus. He urged the opposition to put their house in order before presenting names and emphasized the importance of respecting the voice of the majority. After about 15 minutes of contention, the Senate President addressed the opposition, maintaining the legitimacy of the announced appointments.
