President Bola Tinubu has made a U-turn, naming former House of Representatives member from Osun State, Hon. Ayo Omidiran, as the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), hours after re-appointing Dr Muheeba Dankaka.
Earlier on Monday, Tribune Online reports that Tinubu, in a statement by his the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, approved the appointment of Dankaka for a second five-year term.
However, in a late-night State House statement on Monday, Onanuga reversed the earlier statement, announcing Omidiran as successor for Dankaka whose tenure the Presidency said “was dogged by controversy.”
Before her appointment, another former House of Representatives member, Hon. Kayode Oladele, served in acting capacity following the exit of Dankaka last June.
With the development, Oladele has reverted to his original position as a commissioner representing Ogun state on the board of the FCC.
The new chairman had represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State from 2011 to 2019.
A former Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon Omidiran also served in several other committees, including Communications, Judiciary, Women Affairs, Women in Parliament, Interior and Solid Minerals.
An articulate contributor to debates, former Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, fondly called her “Princess of the House.”
Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a Facebook post, wrote about other new developments at the FCC.
He stated, “President Tinubu appointed Mohammed Musa as the Commission’s secretary while retaining Kayode Oladele from Ogun as commissioner.
“Oladele, a former House of Representatives member, was appointed by President Tinubu in 2024. He served as the Commission’s acting chairman.
“The President renewed the appointments of Lawal Ya’u Roni, Abubakar Atiku Bunu, and Eludayo Eluyemi, who represent Jigawa, Kebbi, and Osun States, for a second term.
“The President also reappointed Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawalla, the commissioner from Lagos State.
“The newly appointed Commissioners are: 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; Ibrahim Baba Mairiga, Gombe; Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso, Imo; Ruth Jumai Ango, Kaduna; Muhammad Awwal Nayya, 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.”