Power Play: President Tinubu Replaces Obinna Oriaku With Victor Ikeji As Abia FCC Commissioner
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the nomination of Obinna Oriaku and forwarded a fresh request to the Senate seeking confirmation of Victor Ikeji as the Federal Character Commission (FCC) Commissioner representing Abia State.
The President’s letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
According to Tinubu, the new nomination is in accordance with Section 154 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to appoint members of the Commission subject to Senate confirmation.
Tinubu explained that Ikeji’s appointment is intended to replace Oriaku, who was earlier nominated in a letter dated October 9.
“I hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment of Victor Ikeji as commissioner of the Federal Character Commission,” the President stated.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the nomination to the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, directing the panel to report back within one week.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Obinna Oriaku confirmed his replacement in an exclusive chat with ABN TV on Thursday evening.
“That is what I am seeing. Someone wrote a petition against me from Abia State. Well, we are on it,” Oriaku said, suggesting that the petition may have influenced the change.
The Senate is expected to conclude its screening process and make a final decision in the coming days.
