, pledging to expose those found guilty.){kind=link}
The Nigerian Senate has expressed strong concern over what it described as widespread violations of the federal character principle by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), pledging to expose those found guilty.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP–Rivers), made this known during an investigative session on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the probe aims to uncover recruitment irregularities and ensure compliance with constitutional provisions mandating equitable representation across all regions.
He referenced Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that appointments and distribution of resources must reflect Nigeria’s diversity to prevent dominance by any group or region.
“Unfortunately, over time, we’ve witnessed continued disregard for this principle by many government agencies,” he said.
“Such disregard deepens the feeling of marginalisation and threatens national unity.”
Onyesoh added that although the Federal Character Commission has attempted enforcement, the impact has been limited, prompting the need for possible reforms, including the creation of a Federal Character Compliance Tribunal to address persistent violations.
He called on MDAs to provide all necessary documents for the investigation, warning against any attempts to obstruct the process.
According to him, the committee’s objective is not punitive but corrective, and it is supported by President Bola Tinubu, who has made it clear that no one will be shielded under the guise of executive protection.
In his remarks, the committee’s vice chairman, Senator Simon Lalong (APC–Plateau), reinforced the Senate’s commitment to upholding fairness in public sector employment.
He said the committee is determined to halt the growing disregard for the federal character principle in the interest of national development.
Lalong disclosed that starting Monday, several key government bodies—including the Federal Character Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Pension Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission—will appear before the panel to respond to allegations of bias in their recruitment processes.