The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of former lawmaker Ayo Omidiran as the new Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), signalling a major reshuffle in the leadership of the agency responsible for promoting fairness in federal appointments.
Omidiran, who represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency of Osun State in the House of Representatives, was confirmed on Thursday alongside Peter Eze from Enugu State and 36 other nominees as Federal Commissioners. Their confirmation followed the presentation of a screening report by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
The confirmation was carried out during plenary, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Presenting the committee’s findings, Chairman Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP, Rivers East) said all nominees were screened on Tuesday and were found competent and fully qualified for the roles.
According to him, no petitions or criminal allegations were filed against any of the nominees. They also submitted all required documents and demonstrated a solid understanding of the commission’s mandate.
Onyesoh added that the screening process included reviewing CVs, verifying Code of Conduct Bureau clearances, evaluating police and DSS reports, and conducting a detailed question-and-answer session.
He noted that all nominees representing the 36 states and the FCT met the constitutional requirements and were “eminently qualified” to serve. He also praised Eze for distinguishing himself through his deep understanding of the FCC’s responsibilities and reform needs.
Before the final approval, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion for the chamber to dissolve into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report clause-by-clause.
Deputy Minority Leader Olalere Oyewumi supported the motion, stating that the nominees had strong local and international experience. He thanked President Tinubu for selecting capable individuals.
After the committee completed a state-by-state review of the nominees, the Senate unanimously adopted the report. Akpabio later subjected the nominations to a voice vote, which received full support from the lawmakers.
Eze’s nomination had earlier been publicly announced by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. Eze, an economist from Aji in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu State, currently serves as Executive Assistant to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. He holds a degree 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.
Full List of Other Confirmed Commissioners
Jigawa: Lawal Ya’u Roni
Kebbi: Abubakar Bunu
Osun: Eludayo Eluyemi
Lagos: Abdulwasiu Bawalla
Abia: Obinna Oriaku
Adamawa: Bema Madayi
Akwa Ibom: Dora Ebong
Anambra: Nnoli Gloria
Bauchi: Babangida Gwana
Bayelsa: Sir Tonye Okio
Benue: Aligba Tarkende
Borno: Modu Mustapha
Cross River: Dr Stella Ekpo
Delta: Ederin Idisi
Ebonyi: Nwokpor Nduka
Edo: Victor Edoror
Ekiti: Sola Fokanle
Gombe: Ibrahim Mairiga
Imo: Jerry Alagbaoso
Kaduna: Ruth Jumai Ango
Kano: Muhammad Nayya
Katsina: Anas Isah
Kogi: Bello Idris Eneye
Kwara: Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi
Niger: Isah Jibrin
Ondo: Ajimudu Bola
Oyo: Prince Ayodeji Aleshinloye
Plateau: Pam Bolman
Rivers: Aaron Chukwuemeka
Sokoto: Aminu Tambar
Taraba: Bobboi Kaigama
Yobe: Jibir Maigari
Zamfara: Sani Garba
FCT: Solomon Ayuba Dagami
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