Senate confirms Ayo Omidiran as FCC chair, approves 37 commissioners

The senate confirmed Ayo Omidiran as executive chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The chamber also approved 37 commissioners representing the 36 states and the FCT during plenary on Thursday.

The confirmation followed the adoption of the screening report presented by Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, chairman of the senate committee on federal character and inter-governmental affairs.

Onyesoh said all nominees submitted the required documents, appeared for screening, and no criminal petition was recorded against any of them.

Omidiran, a two-term former member of the house of representatives, is known for her advocacy on equity in governance and women’s empowerment.

The senate said she is expected to strengthen transparency and discipline in the FCC.

Among those confirmed were Peter Eze representing Enugu, and AbdulWasiu Bawa-Allah representing Lagos, while Mohammed Musa retained his role as secretary of the commission.

Presenting the report earlier, Onyesoh told lawmakers that the nominees appeared before the committee on November 13 with CCB clearances, police reports, DSS vetting documents and their curriculum vitae.

Opeyemi Bamidele, leader of the senate, moved the motion for the chamber to dissolve into committee of the whole to consider the nominees. Olalere Oyewumi, deputy minority leader, supported the motion.

“I rise to support their nomination. From their résumé, they have held different positions both locally and internationally, and I hereby thank Mr President for finding them worthy for nomination,” Oyewunmi said.

The senate dissolved into a committee of the whole for a state-by-state review of the nominees.

No objection was raised during the consideration. The committee adopted the report and reverted to plenary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the nominations to a voice vote and the chamber unanimously confirmed Omidiran and the 37 commissioners.

Other confirmed nominees include Obinna Oriaku (Abia), Lawal Ya’u Roni (Jigawa), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), Eludayo Eluyemi (Osun), 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) and Victor Sabor Edoror (Edo).

Others are Sola Fokanle (Ekiti), Ibrahim Baba Mairiga (Gombe), Jerry Alagbaoso (Imo), 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 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).