Senate Committee Chairman: Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan Not a Member of NCDC

By Adesakin Adefemi 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Senator Titus Zam, has clarified that Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan (PDP‑Kogi) is not a member of the committee, contrary to her recent claims. Zam, who represents Benue North‑West, made the statement in Abuja on Tuesday, responding to Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s allegations that her name was omitted from the committee’s attendance register.

Akpoti‑Uduaghan, on Monday, alleged that her name was excluded from the register during a budget defence session with the NCDC management. Upon noticing the omission, she sought clarification from the committee clerk, only to be told the clerk was in the chairman’s office. She then proceeded to Zam’s office for an explanation, which escalated into a tense exchange.

During the confrontation, Akpoti‑Uduaghan claimed that Zam indicated his actions were based on “instructions from higher authorities,” though no further details were provided. Her media aide, Mike Idoko, added that about six of Zam’s aides, including the chairman’s secretary, seized her cinematographer’s phone and engaged in verbal hostility, which she described as “unacceptable.”

In his response, Zam insisted that Akpoti‑Uduaghan “is not a member of the committee and was not invited to the budget defence meeting.” He noted that two senators from Kogi are members: Senator Isah Jibrin, who serves as vice‑chairman of the NCDC, and Senator Sunday Karimi, who is a regular member.

Zam explained that many other North‑Central senators are also not members of the NCDC, as senators from other zones are mixed into development commission committees for national character purposes. For example, Senator Pam Mwadkon from Plateau State is not a member, while Senators Diket Plang and Simon Lalong are.

He recounted that after the budget defence meeting, Akpoti‑Uduaghan arrived “several hours later” to complain about not being invited. “I told her she’s not a member, so she couldn’t have been invited,” Zam said, adding that he advised her to take her complaint to the Senate Committee on Selection.

The brief argument, according to Zam, ended with Akpoti‑Uduaghan leaving his office after a back‑and‑forth exchange. He emphasized that the committee’s composition follows established Senate procedures and that no senator can unilaterally add themselves to a committee without formal appointment.

The incident has sparked discussion among Senate staff and observers about procedural transparency and communication within committee operations. Some senators have called for clearer guidelines on attendance registers and invitation protocols to avoid similar misunderstandings.

Akpoti‑Uduaghan has yet to issue a formal response to Zam’s clarification, but her office indicated she will seek redress through appropriate Senate channels. Meanwhile, the NCDC budget defence proceeds with its officially recognized members.

The Senate leadership has urged all members to adhere to procedural norms and to resolve disputes through established mechanisms, maintaining decorum and respect within legislative processes.