Kehinde Ishola
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Mrs Ayo Omidiran as Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), alongside 37 other nominees as federal commissioners.
The confirmation followed the presentation of a screening report by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs during plenary presided over by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Presenting the report, Chairman of the committee, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP, Rivers East), said all the nominees appeared before the panel on Tuesday and were found competent and qualified for the assignment. He noted that no criminal complaints were received against any of them and that all required documents, including Code of Conduct Bureau clearance, police and DSS reports, and academic credentials, were duly verified.
“The committee did not receive any criminal complaint against any of the nominees. They submitted all the required documents and demonstrated capacity for the roles they were nominated for,” Onyesoh said.
He added that the nominees, drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, met constitutional requirements and were “eminently qualified” to serve.
Omidiran, a former lawmaker from Osun State, was confirmed alongside Peter Eze from Enugu State and 36 others as federal commissioners.
The committee also commended Eze’s performance during the screening, noting that he demonstrated deep knowledge of the FCC’s mandate and the reforms needed to reposition the commission.
Earlier, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion for the chamber to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole for clause-by-clause consideration of the nominees. The motion was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olalere Oyewumi.
After a state-by-state review, the Committee of the Whole adopted the report without objection and reverted to plenary, where the nominations were subjected to a voice vote and unanimously approved.
Eze’s nomination had earlier been announced by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. Eze is an economist and public administrator from Aji, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, and currently serves as Executive Assistant to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master’s degree in Customs Management from the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing.
The other confirmed commissioners 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); Nwokpor Nduka (Ebonyi); 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).