The Senate is set to put an end to the anomalies and irregularities in the application of the Federal Character principle in the recruitment of personnel into Federal Government-owned Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The Federal Character principle, enshrined in Section 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, aims to promote national unity, loyalty, and a sense of belonging for all citizens by ensuring that the composition of the government and its agencies reflects the diversity of the country.
Despite its importance, the Federal Character principle has been grossly violated by public officers at both the federal and state levels over the years. The Senate has taken a significant step to curb these violations by mandating its Committee on Federal Character to investigate the principle’s violation across various MDAs.
The Committee, headed by Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP, Rivers East), has kick-started the investigation with an interactive session with heads of critical agencies. The Committee has admonished them not to hide any documents needed for the investigation. Senator Onyesoh emphasized that the Federal Character principle is fundamental to national cohesion and that governance must reflect the diversity of the federation to prevent domination by any one group or region.
The Committee aims to foster accountability, reinforce equity, and restore trust in national institutions through rigorous investigative hearings, interactive sessions, and on-the-spot assessments. Senator Onyesoh assured that the Committee’s approach is corrective, not punitive, and that President Bola Tinubu is fully behind the planned investigation.
The Committee has scheduled the first set of agencies to appear before it for investigation, including the Federal Character Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Pension Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others.
The Committee has called on all stakeholders, including MDAs, civil society, and the public, to support this process and provide full cooperation. Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South), the Vice Chairman of the Committee, emphasized that the Committee is determined to stop the violation of the Federal Character principle in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
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