Secretary to the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mohammed Bello Tukur has resigned from his role after nearly eight years.

Appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2017 for a four-year term, Tukur was reappointed in 2021, which extended his tenure through to 2025.

However, his reappointment raised concerns as it contravened the FCC’s guiding principle of federal character.

Both Tukur and the FCC Chairman are from the same geopolitical zone, which goes against the Commission’s goal of ensuring a balanced representation across Nigeria’s zones.

Following his departure, Dr. Chuks Okoli, the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs and Communication, has been appointed into the role of Acting Secretary starting December 16, 2024.

His appointment will stand until a permanent secretary is found.

The FCC remains responsible for overseeing the distribution of federal positions to ensure fairness and equity across the country.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned against any attempt to establish cattle ranches or settlement schemes, including RUGA, in the South-East region.

Chika Edoziem, Head of IPOB’s Directorate of State in his New Year broadcast, delivered this message during his 2025 New Year address.

IPOB criticized the federal government under President Bola Tinubu, declaring that such schemes could disrupt the region’s peace and security.

The group has also urged Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to abandon any plans to implement RUGA within the state.

Citing past warnings to South-East leaders, IPOB maintained that it would not tolerate initiatives as it could lead to unwanted incursions.

The group stated that any attempt to carry out such schemes in the region would be met with strong resistance.

Edoziem said: “To the Tinubu’s administration, the IPOB movement has maintained neutral stance towards your governance since you assumed office.

“Make no mistakes, the IPOB movement is not afraid of confrontation as we are born with it.

“However, you must be advised that Biafra land is out of bounds for any cattle ranching or settling scheme either in the form or RUGA or anything else.”

“If the Tinubu’s administration is wishing to add up more issues to its plate, it should continue with its agenda to bring RUGA or cattle settling in Biafraland. We will demonstrate our resolve to him.”

• President Joe Biden will honor 20 award recipients at the White House 
• Trump has claimed Jan. 6 committee member should be jailed 

Joe Biden is getting in at least one more snub in against Donald Trump with just 18 days left in his presidency.

The president is awarding former Rep. Liz Cheneyand Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) the second highest civilian honor.

The Presidential Citizens Medals are being given to Cheney and Thompson for their leadership on the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot.

Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller called the selection for the awards ‘pathetic.’

‘With attacks happening in the United States and around the world, THIS is how Biden is spending his time today?’ Miller wrote on X.

He was referencing the two acts of violence on New Year’s Day.

First, a suspect drove a car through a crowd in New Orleans before opening fire and killing 15. Just hours later a Tesla Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, killing one and injuring seven.

Fox News Chief Political Analyst Brit Hume called Biden’s decision ‘repulsive’.

Referring to the January 6 probe, he said it was ‘done by a committee all of whose members were chosen by Nancy Pelosi, and was produced like a TV show.

‘There was no cross examination of witnesses,’ he added. ‘The media fell for it, but it was utterly one-sided. A show trial.’

Biden is awarding a total of 20 people with the medals during a White House ceremony on Thursday.

Former Rep. Liz Cheney will be awarded the Presidential Citizens Medals at a White House ceremony on Thursday for her actions on the House Select Committee investigating January 6

Joe Biden is getting in at least one more snub in against Donald Trump with just 18 days left in his presidency

The list includes Americans who fought for marriage equality and civil rights, a pioneer for rescuing and treating wounded soldiers, as well as two of the president’s longtime friends, and former Senators Ted Kaufman (D-Del) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).

‘President Biden believes these Americans are bonded by their common decency and commitment to serving others,’ the White House said in a statement on the awards.

‘The country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice.’

Last year Biden’s honorees included people involved in defending the Capitol from rioters.

Cheney quickly became one of Trump’s most prominent foes in Congress after the Republican voted to impeach him and then agreed to co-lead the House January 6 Select Committee probe.

‘Throughout two decades in public service, including as a Congresswoman for Wyoming and Vice Chair of the Committee on the January 6 attack, Liz Cheney has raised her voice—and reached across the aisle—to defend our Nation and the ideals we stand for: Freedom. Dignity. And decency,’ Biden wrote of his decision to award the medal to the former lawmaker.

‘Her integrity and intrepidness remind us all what is possible if we work together,’ he added.

While she has not changed party affiliation from Republican, Cheney campaigned for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in her ultimately unsuccessful White House bid against Trump.

President-elect Trump has vowed to pardon January 6 prisoners on his first day in office this month. He also said that Cheney and the other eight panel members should be jailed for their investigation that found him at fault for the Capitol attack.

President Joe Biden is holding a ceremony for 20 honorees who will receive the second highest civilian honor on Thursday

Trump said previously during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press: ‘Cheney did something that’s inexcusable, along with Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps,’ claiming without evidence they ‘deleted and destroyed’ testimony they collected.’

‘Honestly, they should go to jail,’ he added.

Other than Cheney, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger was the only other Republican on the committee.

The Democratic members of the select committee included Chairman Thompson, Reps. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), Adam Schiff (Calif.), Pete Aguilar (Calif.), Jamie Raskin (Md.), and former Reps. Stephanie Murphy of Florida and Elaine Luria of Virginia.

Biden is reportedly weighing whether he would give preemptive pardons to Cheney, Thompson and the other January 6 panel members amid suggestions Trump will target them in his second term.

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