Senate Decries Absence of Federal Character Principles
…as Sen Allwell Tasks FCC on proportional sharing of resources, opportunities
By Raphael Ekpang
The Senate on Tuesday, May 14, 2025, decried the absence of Federal Character Principles in sharing of resources and opportunities across the country.
This was made known during the investigative hearing on the implementation of the Federal Character principle in Nigeria’s public sector organises by the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs.
The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh in his opening speechnsaid the Federal Character Commission in Nigeria is mandated to ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic opportunities across the nation, promoting national unity and integration. This mandate he bsaid is enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigerian as amended- focuses on proportional sharing of resources and opportunities.
“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.”
Stressing that persistent non-compliance by many MDAs in both recruitment and infrastructure allocation has fueled marginalization and deepened discontent. The Federal Character Commission, despite its legal powers, has struggled with enforcement. This reality calls for urgent reforms, possibly including a Federal Character Compliance Tribunal, to ensure that violations are meaningfully addressed.” He said.
Sen. Allwell call on all stakeholders, MDAs, civil society, and the public to support this process as full cooperation is expected, and the Committee will not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 where necessary.
He warned that the leadership of every agencies must honour their invitation for the investigative hearing because the committee will live no stone unturned in it bid to unravel the ministry behind the lopsided distribution of resources and opportunities in Nigeria.
Senator Seriake Dickson on his part said the creation of Federal Character Commission was for equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across board, thereby giving every region a sense of belonging, but regretted the reality on ground.
Dicksom assured that the committee will unravel the ministry surrounding the unequitable distribution of resources and opportunities andndeals with accordingly.
Also, Sen. Simon Lalong said the aim of the essence of Federal Character is for inclusiveness. Lamenting that the aims and objectives has not been met.
He pointed out that the committee will unfolds a lot of flaws by thorough investigative hearing, while buttressing on the mandate of the commission. And that the committee will carry out their assignment with equity and fairness.
Other senators who also spoke at the hearing corroborated with the committee ‘s Chairman, Sen. Onyesoh and vowed to make sure the committee gets to the roots of it.
