The House of Representatives on Tuesday unveiled plans to investigate the role played by the Federal Character Commission (FCC) on the appointments undertaken by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) between 2015 and 2023.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the ‘Need to compel the Federal Character Commission to diligently discharge its Constitutional and Statutory mandate and responsibility’, sponsored by Hon. Paul Sunday Nnamchi.
In his lead debate, Hon. Nnamchi expressed concern over the flagrant breach of the Federal Character Commission Act which was enacted in 1995 and enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (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.
“The House recalls that no other Constitution in Nigeria history has entrenched such a 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 House laments that 28 years after this purposeful enactment was aimed at national cohesion and equal opportunities, and 24 years after its constitutional entrenchment, the perception is 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.
“The House regrets that the Federal Character Commission has 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.
“The House recognise that the constitutional injunction is that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based 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 House observes that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) 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 our core oversight and supervisory duty.
“The House also notes that by Order Seventeen, 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 concludes that it is within the Legislative competence of the National Assembly, especially its relevant Committee when constituted, to compel the Federal Character Commission to discharge its Constitutional and statutory responsibilities.”
The House, therefore, mandated the Committee on Federal Character (when constituted) 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.
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