Federal Character: House to Probe MDAs’ Appointments from 2015 to 2023

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to request the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to forward the returns on appointments undertaken by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under its jurisdiction between 2015–2023.

Moving the motion at the plenary yesterday, Hon. Paul Nnamchi, said the FCC Act was enacted in 1995 and enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) with the primary responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government.

He recalled that no other constitution in Nigeria’s history had entrenched such regulatory body and vested same with powers to facilitate national integration through equitable, transparent and unbiased sharing of national wealth and public official positions.

The lawmaker lamented that 28 years after the purposeful enactment was aimed at national cohesion and equal opportunities, and 24 years after its constitutional entrenchment, the perception was that there exists brazen domination of the bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels by a section of the country at the expense of the others.

Nnamchi alleged that the FCC had virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest amongst its commissioners as was the case about a year ago.

He emphasised that the constitutional injunction shall be  state-based and on the principles of democracy and social justice, which also propagates national integration and abjure discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties.

The lawmaker noted that the constitution empowered the National Assembly with the categorical powers under section 88(2) (6) to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it as part of its core oversight and supervisory duty.

Nnamchi noted further that by Order 17, Rule 1 (a – b) of the Standing Orders of the House, all Ministries, statutory Agencies, Bodies or corporations shall forward to the Speaker all reports required by statute within three months of the close of the reporting period, and any violation of the same attracts sanctions as provided in the Legislative houses (Power and Privileges) Act, 2017.

The House therefore resolved to constitute an Ad-hoc, “Committee on Federal Character to request the Federal Character Commission to forward the returns on appointments undertaken by Ministries, Departments and Agencies under its jurisdiction between 2015–2023 and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.”