Lawmakers Task FCC On Constitutional Responsibilities Amid Concerns On Marginalisation

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has asked the Federal Character Commission, FCC, to strictly adhere to its constitutional responsibilities amid rising concerns of marginalisation and improper appointments across government agencies.

Speaking during an interactive session with the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Mr Kayode Oladele, the Committee’s Chairman, Mr Ahmed Idris Wase, said sections of the Constitution clearly outline the FCC’s role in promoting equitable distribution of appointments and infrastructure.

“The Constitution is clear. The Federal Character Commission is the only body mandated to ensure balance in appointments and distribution. Once we follow this, there will be no complaints of marginalisation.

Mr Wase criticised some federal agencies for allegedly conducting recruitment without submitting nominal rolls, a move he described as unconstitutional and detrimental to fair employment practices.

He also expressed concern about attempts by certain agencies to either take over the FCC’s duties or bypass it entirely.

The Committee, he said, had summoned the Minister of Education to explain why principal officers in some newly established institutions all hailed from the same region.

“When appointments favour one region, it defeats the essence of federal character.”

Other lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of representation from some geopolitical zones at the Commission.

Adepoju Adebayo advised the FCC to ensure more balanced appointments to ease national tensions and called for internal reforms.

“Without visible equity, unity becomes difficult. The Commission must be reformed.”

Dennis Nnamdi requested clarification on why recruitment waivers were being granted to certain agencies, while Ishaya Laulu queried the legal interpretation surrounding job advertisement

In his response, Acting Chairman Oladele called for stronger collaboration with the National Assembly to promote fairness, transparency and inclusion across government institutions emphasising the Commission’s challenges, including underfunding and lack of cooperation from some MDAs and state governments.

“We are expected to monitor over 700 MDAs with inadequate funding and minimal cooperation. It’s impossible without support.”he said

Mr Oladele appealed to lawmakers to support legislative amendments that would give the Commission more autonomy to monitor compliance, carry out recruitment audits, and enforce penalties.

He also requested greater budgetary backing.

“We need autonomynot just to monitor, but to enforce federal character. Without funding and legal backing, the work remains a struggle.”

The Committee assured Mr Oladele that no agency would be allowed to take over the Commission’s constitutional duties.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji