Commissioners Clash with Chairman at Federal Character Commission

A brewing leadership crisis has erupted within the Federal Character Commission (FCC), as twenty-nine out of its thirty-seven commissioners have called for the removal of Executive Chairman, Muheeba Dankaka.

In separate letters addressed to President Bola Tinubu and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, the disgruntled commissioners accused Dankaka of high-handedness, victimization, and flouting the rule of law.

Director of Public Affairs and Communication for the Commission, Chuks Okoli, refuted claims of a rift, stating, “We have 37 commissioners under the FCC out of which only five are having issues with the chairman. The others are all working in harmony with the commissioner apart from the five.”

The letters/petitions to the President and SGF outlined the commissioners’ loss of confidence in Dankaka’s leadership, citing concerns over negative publicity and alleged involvement in job racketeering within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The latter accusation is currently under investigation by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee.

In a portion of the letter to the President titled ‘Resolutions of the body of Commissioners on the allegations of job racketeering in the Federal Character Commission, among others – Vote of no confidence on the Executive Chairman: Dr. Muheeba Dankaka,’ the commissioners expressed their apprehension over the damaging impact of the allegations on the commission’s credibility and effectiveness.

Furthermore, the commissioners highlighted instances of disregard for protocol and transparency within the commission, demanding an independent inquiry into Dankaka’s conduct and urging for appropriate sanctions if found guilty.

In their correspondence to SGF Akume, the commissioners emphasized Dankaka’s failure to adhere to directives aimed at fostering a harmonious work environment, as well as her alleged dismissal of inquiries from commissioners regarding employment data.

The commissioners concluded their letters with a series of demands, including the establishment of an independent fact-finding panel, reversal of acts of impunity, and sanctions against any member found complicit in mismanagement.