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