By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria – The Acting Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Kayode Oladele, has solicited for greater autonomy for the Commission to monitor and enforce compliance, not only among government agencies but also within private concerns involved in public sector activities.
Hon. Oladele, who made the call while speaking at an interactive session with members of the House Committee on Federal Character on Tuesday, decried lack of cooperation from some MDAs and state governments in implementing the Commission’s constitutional mandate to promote unity and fairness in public service.
The former Chairman House Committee on Financial Crimes emphasised that the principle of federal character was enshrined in the Constitution as a foundational element of national integration and justice not an afterthought.
He lamented that several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as some state governments, continue to frustrate the Commission’s efforts by denying its oversight authority.
While calling on the lawmakers for legislative support to amend the FCC Establishment Act, he proposed the expansion of the Commission’s constitutional powers to include digital monitoring, recruitment audits, enforcement mechanisms, and the protection of civil rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.
He also appealed for improved budgetary allocation to enable the Commission to effectively discharge its duties.
Hon. Oladele stressed that the FCC, as a regulatory body, must work closely with the legislature to uphold equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in the distribution of public offices and socio-economic opportunities.
Accordingto him, “legislative support provides the political and institutional leverage needed to ensure compliance when MDAs default on constitutional obligations.
“Synergy fosters transparency and accountability. When our institutions speak with one voice, conduct joint inspections, share data, and coordinate on compliance reports, we send a strong message that no agency is above the law and that deviation from federal character principles will not be tolerated.
“And perhaps most importantly, synergy helps reduce national tension and agitation. It is no secret that many of the grievances expressed across regions in Nigeria, whether political, economic, or security-related, are rooted in perceptions of marginalisation, domination, and exclusion.
“An effective Federal Character Commission, working in partnership with the legislature, can address these concerns at their root by ensuring equitable representation and opportunity. When people see fairness in the system, they are more likely to trust the process and less likely to agitate for radical alternatives.
“We must also acknowledge that paucity of funds remains one of the major constraints facing the Commission in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. Inadequate funding affects our capacity to monitor MDAs effectively, to build digital compliance tools, and to conduct recruitment audits nationwide.
“But I am confident that with the support and intervention of the President and National Assembly, especially this distinguished Committee, this challenge can be overcome. Your continued support in the appropriation process and budgetary oversight can help reposition the Commission for optimal performance”.
Hon. Oladele also submitted that, “the Federal Character Commission has offices in all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, and is statutorily mandated to monitor and regulate over 700 Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including applicable state-level institutions.
“This extensive national reach and oversight responsibility cannot be effectively executed without proper and adequate funding. To perform these duties consistently and efficiently, especially in a diverse federation like ours, the support of the National Assembly is as invaluable as it is indispensable”.
Chairman of the House Committee and former deputy speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, frowned at the activities box, some agencies of government that are seeking to either take over the duties of the Commission, or work with them in the performance of their duties.
According to him, section 14(3) and the third schedule to the Constitution were very clear as to the mandate of the commission as the sole agency of government saddled with such responsibility.
He said an act of parliament establishing any agency cannot take the place of the Constitution, adding that agencies not complying with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission were working against the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the country.
“You are a creation of the Constitution. You were not created by an act of parliament. Even though we are not under the Act of Parliament, the Constitution made it clear which is supreme. No agency can take over your job.
“We have seen letters from some agencies, and we are not going to accept that. We want things to be done the right way and according to the law. Tell those agencies to stay off. We will not allow that, even though they are referring to their establishment act.
“We have engaged several agencies, and what we see is not in the interest of this country. We are not happy with the interference coming from some agencies”.
Wase said the committee has invited the Minister of Education over some observations in appointment into newly established institutions where principal officers are drawn from the same area in contravention of the law, adding that “we want to see how we can address that issue, maybe by swapping some of them”, Wase said.
The former Deputy Speaker said the mandate of the commission is to ensure fair distribution of personnel and infrastructure across the country, adding that once that is done, there will be no complaints of marginalisation from any part of the country.
He also frowned at some agencies carrying out recruitment without a nominal role, adding that such an act will not ensure fair distribution of employment as required by law.
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) is a Federal Executive body established by Act No 34 of 1996 to implement and enforce the Federal Character Principle of fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructures among the various federating units of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
