The Senate on Thursday confirmed former Osun State lawmaker, Mrs Ayo Omidiran, as the new Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), ending months of leadership vacuum at the agency in charge of ensuring fair sharing of federal jobs and projects across the country.
Omidiran’s confirmation came alongside 37 other nominees, including economist Peter Eze from Enugu State, who were all approved as Federal Commissioners representing their various states and the FCT.
The exercise, which held during plenary presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, followed a smooth screening process that saw the upper chamber dissolve into Committee of the Whole to consider the report presented by Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
Onyesoh told his colleagues that the committee received no single petition or criminal complaint against any of the nominees.
“The committee did not receive any criminal complaints against any of the nominees. They submitted all required documents and demonstrated capacity for the roles they were nominated for,” he said.
He praised Peter Eze in particular, saying the Enugu nominee showed deep understanding of the FCC’s work and the urgent reforms needed to modernise outdated laws guiding the commission.
“His appointment will strengthen the capacity of the Federal Character Commission to review outdated statutes and harmonise them with current realities,” Onyesoh added.
Moving the motion for confirmation, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele urged speedy approval, a call backed by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Olalere Oyewumi who noted that most nominees had impressive track records both at home and abroad.
After a state-by-state voice vote that returned a resounding “aye” with no opposition, Akpabio declared all 38 nominees confirmed.
Other confirmed commissioners include Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), Abdulwasiu Bawalla (Lagos), Obinna Oriaku (Abia), Bema Madayi (Adamawa), Dora Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Nnoli Gloria (Anambra), Babangida Gwana (Bauchi), Sir Tonye Okio (Bayelsa), Aligba Tarkende (Benue), Modu Mustapha (Borno), Dr Stella Ekpo (Cross River), Ederin Idisi (Delta), and Nwokpor Nduka (Ebonyi).
The list also has Victor Edoror (Edo), Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Ibrahim Mairiga (Gombe), Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), Ruth Jumai Ango (Kaduna), Muhammad Nayya (Kano), Anas Isah (Katsina), Bello Idris Eneye (Kogi), Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara), Isah Jibrin (Niger), Ajimudu Bola (Ondo), Prince Ayodeji Aleshinloye (Oyo), Pam Bolman (Plateau), Aaron Chukwuemeka (Rivers), Aminu Tambar (Sokoto), Bobboi Kaigama (Taraba), Jibir Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara), and Solomon Ayuba Dagami (FCT).
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