REWIND: In July, FCC workers celebrated when Dankaka’s tenure ended

In July, some employees of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) broke into a song and dance to celebrate the end of Muheeba Dankaka’s five-year tenure as chairperson of the parastatal.

Dankaka was appointed to the role in 2020 by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Her five-year term elapsed on July 1. The FCC Act allows for the chairperson’s tenure to be renewed for another five years.

Following the expiration of her tenure, President Bola Tinubu appointed Kayode Oladele, a former member of the house of representatives, as acting chairman of the commission.

Staff unhappy with Dankaka’s leadership marked the end of her tenure by waving brooms, sweeping the premises, singing and dancing.

Staff of Federal Character Commissions celebrates exit of Chairman, Dr Muheeba Dankaka, whose tenure ends today, July 1. pic.twitter.com/KxcJYIfHWD

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— The Whistler Newspaper (@TheWhistlerNG) July 1, 2025

ALLEGATIONS AND CONTROVERSY

Dankaka’s reign was fraught with allegations and controversy.

In July 2023, some FCC commissioners accused her of high-handedness and job racketeering.

The commissioners spoke when they appeared before the house of representatives ad hoc committee set up to investigate ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), parastatals, and tertiary institutions on recruitment, employment racketeering, and the mismanagement of the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS).

They claimed that Dankaka was running the commission aground in gross violation of the FCC enabling Act — an allegation she denied.

In June, a group known as Concerned staff members of the FCC, said “to reappoint Dankaka would not only reward failure — it would legitimise corruption, deepen division and destroy the last threads of trust in the FCC”.

“The presidency must listen to the workers, commissioners, whistleblowers, and civil society groups who have consistently spoken out. Muheeba Dankaka must not return to the office,” they said.

DANKAKA’S REAPPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL

On Monday, Tinubu reappointed Dankaka as chairperson of the commission.

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, who announced the reappointment, said Dankaka will serve a second term of five years.

Hours later, Tinubu rescinded his decision.

In a statement, Onanuga said Dankaka’s tenure was “dogged by controversy”.

Ayo Omidiran, a former house of representatives member, was announced as her successor.