12/08/2025
Dankaka's Removal: Why Kwarans Must Hold AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Responsible
By Onilemarun Abdulkareem
When news broke of the dramatic replacement of Hajia Faridah Dankaka as the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), many across Kwara State expressed shock. But for those who have been paying attention to the style of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's leadership as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), the development was hardly surprising. In fact, Kwarans should look no further than Government House, Ilorin, for the root of this political debacle.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has presided over the NGF with a lethargy that is unprecedented in the history of the forum. His chairmanship has been marked not by achievements, but by an alarming absence of vision, courage, and influence. In barely two years, his tenure has become synonymous with underperformance. He's such an unmitigated disaster that makes one wonder if Kwara actually has an NGF Chairman at all.
First, it was the removal of Jemilah Bio, the former Minister of Youth Development, followed by the non-extension of service for Mallam Abdulganiy O. Jaji as Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service unlike what was done for the Customs, Police, and others. Yet another top Kwara-born appointee affected. Now, it is Hajia Faridah Dankaka's turn. These episodes share one thing in common: a lame-duck Governor who couldn’t lift a finger for his kinsmen when it mattered. A leader who cannot rise above personal grudges to safeguard the collective interest of his people has entirely missed the point of leadership.
For context, Kwarans have seen what a proactive NGF Chairman can achieve. During his tenure, Dr. Bukola Saraki leveraged the same position to secure Grade A appointments for Kwarans at the national level. He understood that the NGF chairmanship was a platform to expand influence, not a stool for settling petty political scores.
It was under Dr. Bukola Saraki leadership that we had the following appointments.
Prof. Oba Abdulraheem as Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
Alhaji Kawu Baraje as Ag. PDP National Chairman
Alhaji Kawu Baraje
Chairman, Nigerian Railways Corporation
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Sugar Development Council
Prof. Abubakar Suleiman as DG Nigerian Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)
Dr. Adeniyi Saheed Aremu, the Managing Director of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA)
Senator Bisi Oyewo
Chairman, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding of Nigeria
Hon. Ishola Balogun-Fulani
Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Meta
Alhaji Aliyu Moh'd Yaro
Chairman, ABU Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Hon. Abubakar Zukababa
Chairman, Board of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti
Senator Ishiaq Adebayo
Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Oweri
Dr. Mufuta Yahaya
National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
No other person has rivalled those records till date (see below for more information)
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on the other hand, seems more interested in clearing the political field of anyone who does not align with his personal preferences. The unceremonious removal of his own ally, Ghali Alaaya, as a Non-Executive Director of the NNPC Limited was another telling moment. If a governor cannot even protect his own close associates from being discarded without ceremony, what hope is there for others?
The uncomfortable truth is this: even the Presidency appears to give little weight to AbdulRazaq’s presence, both as governor and as NGF chairman. His inability to leverage his position for the benefit of Kwara has become glaring.
Kwarans are beginning to whisper what many already believe: we would be better off without an NGF Chairman from Kwara than to have one who is a non-starter. The clock is ticking, and many in the state can hardly wait for the eclipse of this tenure and the rise of a chairman who understands the weight of the office.
Hajia Faridah Dankaka’s removal is not just a loss for her as an individual, it is a loss for Kwara’s voice at the national table. And that loss bears the fingerprints of a governor whose leadership has been defined by inaction, personal vendettas, and squandered opportunities.
For the records, other appointments facilitated by Saraki includes the following:
Hon. Tajudeen Asunara,
Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo
Hon. Isiaka Anafi Karajo
Chairman, Federal Medical Centre, Markudi.
Dr. Fatai Bello
Chairman, Federal Neuro- Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta
Hon. Murtala L. Mustapha
Board Chairman, National Roots Crop Research Institute
Hon. Ado Bawa
Chairman, National Hospital, Abuja.
DR. Timothy Gana
Federal Medical Centre, Jabi
Hon. Ahmed Shuiabu Buranga National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano.
Mr. Yomi Ogunsola as Commissioner in the Federal Character Commission
Chief Kayode Adebiyi
Federal Credit Guarantee Scheme
Dr. Dan Danmeigoro
Institute of Agriculture Research, Zaria
Hon. Shekinat Tayo Abubakar
Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Research, Lagos
Mrs. Abaya Adeshina
Nigerian Agricultural Research and Training Institute, Ibadan
Hon. Isiaka Mogaji
National Rubber Research Institute, Benin
Kayode H. Maja
Federal College of Agriculture, Ibadan
Hon. Bode Ogunleye
National Lottery Regulatory Commission
Hajia Fati N. Abubakar
Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology
Hon. Lukman O. Owolewa
Nigerian Geographical Survey Agency
Hon. Saliu Bamidele Aluko
Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
Hon. Rafiu Akano
Nigerian Firms and Videos Centre Board
Hon. Tajudeen Asunara
National Orientation Agency
Hon. Bodunde Opeyemi
Consumers Protection Council
Hon. Saliu Abdulkareem
Cross Rivers Basin Development Authority
Akogun Jimoh Rauf
Ogun State Basin Development Authority
