JUST IN: Tinubu sacks FCC chair hours after reappointment, names replacement

In a surprising twist, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Dr. Muheeba Dankaka from her role as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) just hours after approving her reappointment.

She has been replaced by former lawmaker Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, according to a statement released on Monday by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

Omidiran, a two-term member of the House of Representatives who represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State, steps into the role to succeed Dankaka, whose tenure, according to the Presidency, was “dogged by controversy.”

Also in the shake-up, President Tinubu appointed Mohammed Musa as the Secretary of the Commission and retained Kayode Oladele, a commissioner from Ogun State, who previously served as Acting Chairman following Dankaka’s suspension in 2024.

The President renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), and Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun) for a second term, alongside Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla (Lagos).

In a sweeping nationwide appointment, Tinubu also named several new commissioners to represent states and the Federal Capital Territory. They include:

Hon. Obina Oriaku (Abia)

Mrs. Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa)

Obongawan Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom)

Hon. Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra)

Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi)

Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa)

Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue)

Engr. Modu Mustapha (Borno)

Dr. Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River)

Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta)

Barr. Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi)

Hon. Chief Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo)

Hon. Sola Fokanle (Ekiti)

Peter Eze (Enugu)

Others include:

Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe)

Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo)

Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna)

Muhammad Awwal Nayaya (Kano)

Hon. Anas Isah (Katsina)

Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi)

Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara)

Alh. Isah Jibrin (Niger)

Comrade Ajimudu Bola (Ondo)

Prince Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye (Oyo)

Hon. Pam Bolman (Plateau)

Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers)

Alh. Aminu Tambar (Sokoto)

Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba)

Hon. Jibir Maigari (Yobe)

Sani Garba (Zamfara)

Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT)

Omidiran’s appointment is expected to bring a fresh political and administrative perspective to the FCC, a body responsible for ensuring equitable distribution of appointments and resources across Nigeria’s diverse states and ethnic groups.