Senate reshuffles committee leadership, appoints Kalu chairman SEDC, others

By Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

The Senate on Tuesday undertook a leadership reshuffle of its standing committees and appointed substantive chairmen and deputy chairmen of the newly established regional development commissions following their assent into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the developments while presiding over the resumption of plenary after a two-week break.

According to Akpabio, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who until Tuesday served as the chairman of the Committee on Privatisation, will now head the Senate Committee on Southeast Development Commission, while his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Kenneth Eze (Ebonyi Central), will serve as the deputy chairman of the committee.

Additionally, Senator Titus Zam and Senator Isa Jibrin will head the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

Senator Babangida Hussaini and Senator Muntari Dandutse will serve as chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission (NWDC).

In a related development, the Senate also rejigged the leadership of other standing committees. Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) has been reassigned from the Committee on Population to now chair the Senate Committee on FERMA.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), previously in charge of the Committee on Local Content, is now the chairperson of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Other newly appointed committee heads include Senator Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South), who now chairs the Senate Committee on Sports Development, as well as Senator Joel Thomas (APC, Delta South), who is now to preside as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

Senator Victor Umeh (Labour Party, Anambra Central) has been reassigned from the Diaspora Committee and will now serve as the chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC.

In his opening remarks, Akpabio expressed satisfaction with the just-concluded budget defence sessions, commending lawmakers for their dedication in scrutinising the 2025 budget to ensure a productive financial plan for the year.

Meanwhile, the upper chamber condoled with the Speaker of the House of Representatives over the passing of former Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, on 15 January.

Akpabio led other lawmakers to observe a minute’s silence in her honour before plenary was adjourned.