Chaos erupted at the Federal Character Commission (FCC) headquarters in Abuja on Thursday as enraged staff barricaded the main gate, calling for the immediate sack of Chairperson Dr. Muheeba Dankaka over what they described as years of gross mismanagement, corruption, and authoritarian leadership.
The protest, led by the Commission’s Joint Negotiating Council (Tripartite Union), paralyzed activities within the premises.
Union leaders accused Dankaka of sidelining civil service regulations, centralizing power, and wrecking the institution’s constitutional mandate of equity and inclusion in public service appointments.
“Five years of decay, oppression, and impunity must end now,” declared union chairman Benson Ameh. “We demand her removal and a full audit of the Commission’s finances from 2020 till date.”
Dankaka, appointed in June 2020, has been dogged by controversies, including internal petitions, standoffs with commissioners, and allegations of using political influence to secure a second term.
Protesters alleged she is lobbying top political figures—including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje—and has boasted of spending ₦500 million to secure reappointment.
“Even commissioners have been reduced to spectators,” Ameh lamented. “The FCC is now a shadow of its mandate.”
Established under Act No. 34 of 1996 and backed by the 1999 Constitution, the FCC is designed to ensure fair representation and distribution of national opportunities across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
But workers say Dankaka’s administration has compromised these ideals, with staff morale at an all-time low.
Calls for her removal come amid a growing wave of public pressure for accountability across federal agencies.
In a separate but related development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT chapter, has issued a fresh warning to shut down Abuja after July 3, should the FCT Administration fail to address lingering wage disputes affecting area council workers.
“We deliberately delayed our action out of respect for the president’s ongoing project inaugurations,” said NLC Chairman Dr. Stephen Knabayi. “But once that ends, Abuja will be shut down.”
Area council workers across the FCT have been on strike for months, crippling primary healthcare, public schools, and administrative functions in local government offices.
As Abuja braces for widespread labour action and public institutions face mounting internal revolts, observers say these developments underscore urgent calls for reform, transparency, and leadership accountability within the federal system.
