The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran as the new Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission, signaling a major change in the agency tasked with promoting fairness in federal appointments.
Omidiran, a former Osun State lawmaker, was confirmed along with Peter Eze from Enugu State and 36 additional nominees as Federal Commissioners, after the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs submitted its screening report.
The confirmation occurred during plenary, which was chaired by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
While presenting the report, the committee chairman, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP, Rivers East), noted that all nominees appeared before the committee on Tuesday and were assessed to have the necessary qualifications and competence for their respective roles.
He said, “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.”
Onyesoh explained that the vetting process included the review of curriculum vitae, Code of Conduct clearance certificates, police and DSS reports, and other eligibility documents, in addition to individual presentations and a rigorous question-and-answer session.
He added that all nominees from the 36 states and the FCT met constitutional requirements to serve in the commission, describing them as “eminently qualified.”
The committee further noted that Eze distinguished himself during the screening and demonstrated deep knowledge of the FCC’s mandate and the reforms needed to reposition the agency.
“His appointment will strengthen the capacity of the Federal Character Commission to review outdated statutes and harmonise them with current realities,” he stated.
Earlier, the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the chamber to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for a clause-by-clause consideration of the nominees.
Supporting the motion, Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olalere Oyewumi, said, “From their résumés, they have held different positions both locally and internationally. I thank Mr President for finding them worthy.”
Following a state-by-state review, the Committee of the Whole adopted the report without objection and reverted to plenary, where Akpabio subjected the nominations to a voice vote, which received unanimous approval.
Eze’s nomination had earlier been announced by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.
Eze, an economist and public administrator from Aji in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State, currently serves as Executive Assistant to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. His academic credentials include a B. Sc. in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s in Customs Management from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing.
The remaining 36 nominees confirmed on Thursday are: 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).
Others include: 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).
