IBY
Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has announced a minor reshuffling in the leadership of the Senate standing committees.
He made the announcement during the plenary session on Tuesday.
The Senate had earlier adjourned plenary in December for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Upon resumption, Mr. Akpabio took decisive action by reassigning lawmakers to new committee roles.
The reshuffling is seen as a response to concerns over ineffective committee leadership, particularly in terms of oversight responsibilities.
In December, Mr. Akpabio expressed dissatisfaction with the continuous refusal of heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to honor invitations from the National Assembly. He warned that committee chairmen who failed to perform satisfactorily would be removed.
He also mandated all Senate committees to submit oversight reports by January 2025.
However, it remains unclear whether the chairmen have complied with this directive, as the Senate President did not address the matter during the plenary.
Changes in Committee Leadership
Several lawmakers were reassigned, and new committees were created to enhance regional development.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) was appointed as the new chairman of the Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) was removed as chairman of the Committee on Local Content and reassigned as chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations.
Senator Joel Ewomazino (PDP, Delta South) was appointed as the new chairman of the Committee on Local Content.
Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) was moved from the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations to the Committee on National Identity and National Population.
Senator Garba Maidoki (APC, Kebbi South) was appointed as chairman of the Committee on Sports.
With the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) now established by law, Senator Hussaini Babanjida (APC, Jigawa North-West) was named as chairman, while Senator Mohammed Dandutse (APC, Katsina South) will serve as vice chairman.
A new Committee on the South-East Development Commission was also created, with Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North) as chairman and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North) as vice chairman.
Additionally, a new committee was formed to oversee the North-Central Development Commission, chaired by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West).
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