By Rafiyat Sadiq
President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the reappointment of Dr Muheeba Dankaka as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and named former House of Representatives member Ayo Omidiran as her replacement.
Dankaka’s tenure was marred by controversy, and she was succeeded in an acting capacity by Kayode Oladele, who will continue to serve as commissioner representing Ogun State.
Oladele, also a former federal lawmaker, was first appointed to the FCC in 2024.
Tinubu also appointed Mohammed Musa as the commission’s secretary and renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi) and Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun) for a second term.
Presidency Reverses Dankaka’s Reappointment Within Hours
The dramatic change came less than four hours after the presidency announced Dr Muheeba Dankaka’s reappointment as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
At 6:35 p.m. on Monday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga issued a statement confirming a second five-year term for Dankaka, the appointment of Mohammed Musa as commission secretary, and a list of state commissioners.
By 10:44 p.m., a new statement was released “superseding the earlier one”, naming former lawmaker Ayo Omidiran as FCC chair. The only other change was the inclusion of Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla as Lagos commissioner.
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Dankaka’s first term was marked by controversy. After her tenure expired, Kayode Oladele from Ogun State, a former federal lawmaker appointed to the FCC in 2024, served as acting chairman. Oladele has now been retained as commissioner.
The reversal caught many off guard, with some stakeholders, including the Emir of Ilorin, issuing congratulatory messages to Dankaka before the change was made public.
Full List of New Commissioners
New commissioners appointed to the FCC include Obina Oriaku (Abia), Bema Olvadi Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Nkechi Gloria (Anambra), Babangida Adamu Gwana (Bauchi), Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Eugene Tarkende (Benue), Modu Mustapha (Borno), Stella Odey Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Lovette Idisi (Delta), Nwokpor Vincent Nduka (Ebonyi), Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo), Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Peter Eze (Enugu), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe) and Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo).
Others are Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna), Muhammad Awwal Nayya (Kano), Anas Isah (Katsina), Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Isah Jibrin (Niger), Ajimudu Bola (Ondo), Ayodeji Abas Aleshinloye (Oyo), Pam Bolman (Plateau), Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), Aminu Tambar (Sokoto), Bobboi Bala Kaigama (Taraba), Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara) and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
