FCC Nominee Saga: Oriaku Breaks Silence, Reveals What May Have Caused His Removal

Former Abia State Commissioner of Finance, Chief Obinna Oriaku, has opened up on the circumstances surrounding his dramatic removal as Abia State's nominee to the Federal Character Commission (FCC), describing the development as a painful but revealing lesson about the realities of public service.

Oriaku, who had already undergone a thorough Senate screening and received full clearance, said the first hint of trouble came on Monday when one of Abia State's Senators informed him that his name had been substituted by the Presidency.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has since forwarded the name of Dr. Victor Ikeji to the Senate as the new nominee for Abia State, effectively replacing Oriaku barely weeks after his confirmation.

In a detailed statement, the former Commissioner said the withdrawal of his nomination reflects the cost of standing for transparency and challenging entrenched interests. According to him, defending democratic values often attracts retaliation from those threatened by accountability.

"Public service exposes you to many battles. Corruption never retreats quietly,ÔÇØ Oriaku said, stressing that his insistence on fairness and integrity has always been met with resistance from powerful interests.

He also revealed that information reaching him suggests that a petition allegedly submitted by the Abia State Government or one of its agencies may have influenced President Tinubu's final decision. Oriaku described the development as unfortunate but added that he remains undeterred.

While acknowledging that appointments are the exclusive prerogative of the President, the former FCC nominee maintained that he will continue to speak on issues affecting Abia State, insisting that his advocacy is driven by facts, equity, and the greater good of the people.

The sudden turn of events has sparked fresh debates in political circles, with many observers questioning what specific details were contained in the alleged petition and why Oriaku-despite Senate clearance-became a casualty of internal political undercurrents.