Employment: Senators tackle MDAs for overlooking federal character mandate
The Senate on Wednesday promised to expose violators of the federal character system of recruiting into ministries, departments and agencies.
Allwell Onyesoh (PDP- Rivers) said this at an investigative hearing on the violation of the federal character system on recruitment across the various MDAs.
Mr Onyesoh urged the MDAs not to hide any documents needed for the investigation.
“As enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal Character Principle is fundamental to our national cohesion. It mandates that governance must reflect the diversity of our federation to prevent domination by any one group or region.
“Sadly, systemic abuse and ineffective enforcement have made this principle more honoured in the breach than in observance,” the senator said.
Mr Onyesoh said that persistent and non-compliance by many MDAs on recruitment and infrastructure allocation had fueled marginalisation and deepened discontent.
“The Federal Character Commission, despite its legal powers, has tried with enforcement. This development calls for urgent reforms, possibly including a Federal Character Compliance Tribunal to ensure that violations are meaningfully addressed.
“This committee will pursue the federal character mandate through rigorous investigative hearings, interactive sessions, and, where necessary, on-the-spot assessments,” the senator explained.
The senator stressed that the approach was not punitive, but corrective.
He said President Bola Tinubu supported the planned investigation, warning that “those aiming to hide behind or under the presidency would be disappointed as time to account for their misdeeds has come”.
In his remarks, the vice-chairman of the committee, Simon Lalong (APC -Plateau), said the committee was all out to stop the violation in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
According to him, the first agencies that will face the committee for the investigation starting Monday are the Federal Character Commission, Federal Civil Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Pension Commission, and Independent National Electoral Commission, among others.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Politics
2027: NDC to inaugurate presidential council October 20
The chairman said the party was taking time to make appropriate appointments to avoid disagreements that could disrupt its campaigns.
World
About one million without electricity after hurricane makes landfall in Florida
Isaias peaked as a category three hurricane, with heavy rain and powerful winds, but has since been downgraded.
Lagos
Lagos targets 3,000MW electricity supply by March 2027
Mr Sanwo-Olu said the initiative is part of efforts to end blackouts and build a 24-hour power economy in the state.
Politics
Nigeria at its best in 12 years; no govt has built infrastructure like my husband’s, says Remi Tinubu
Mrs Tinubu also cited the administration’s food support programme, saying it was designed to provide nutritious food for children.
States
Turkish Airlines increases Lagos flights from seven to 10 weekly
The statement added that the increase was aimed at meeting the growing travel demand between Nigeria and Türkiye.
States
Gov Yusuf condoles victims of bandit attack in Kano
Mr Yusuf assured residents that the state government was intensifying efforts to strengthen security through collaboration with relevant security agencies.
