The Acting Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Kayode Oladele, is seeking for improved collaboration with the National Assembly to ensure that there is equity, inclusiveness, and fairness in the distribution of public offices and socio-economic opportunities across Nigeria.
Oladele at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character, on Tuesday in Abuja, reiterated that working as a team with lawmakers is critical for effective oversight, improved transparency, and easing national tensions arising from perceived marginalization.
He stated that the Commission is challenged with adequare funding in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities, and these includes monitoring over 700 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and maintaining offices in all 36 states and the FCT.
He therefore called on the legislature to support reforms, joint enlightenment programs, and enhanced budgetary support to enable the Commission to fulfill its constitutional mandate effectively
Oladele however said that some agencies of government and state government are not working in agreement with the commission to carry out its assigned mandate to ensure national unity.
The FCC Chairman is also seeking legislative backing in the reviewing and amendment of relevant establishment Act to grant the Commission greater autonomy in enforcement and sanctions, including digital monitoring, recruitment audits, and enforcement mechanisms as well as the expansion of its constitutional mandates to include the monitoring and enforcement of all civil rights as guaranteed by the Constitution.
He decried that many agencies have worked to frustrate the activities of the commission by claiming that they are not under the control of the Commission, while some state government have also not been cooperating with the commission.
Oladele said the agency was in dire need of greater autonomy to monitor activities of government agencies and some private concern and enforce compliance, while also needing adequate funds to carry out it’s statutory functions.
According to him, the Federal Character Commission was established with a constitutional mandate to uphold the principles of equity, inclusiveness, and fairness in the distribution of public offices and socio-economic amenities places us not as separate bodies, but as co-guardians of national cohesion and unity.
While stressing the need for synergy, the FCC Acting Chairman said that as a regulatory Agency, the Federal Character Commission carries out “monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement of compliance”, he added that the “authority of the legislature provides the political and institutional weight necessary to ensure adherence, especially when MDAs fail to meet constitutional obligations.
“Second, 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.
“Third, 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 marginalization, 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.
“It is important to note 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”.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman House Committee on Federal Character and former Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase frowned at the activities box some agencies of government who are seeking to either take over the duties of the Commission, or work with them in the performance of their duties.
Wase said 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, and that agencies that are not in compliance with the provisions of the federal Character commission were working against the constitution which is the supreme law of the country.
He said “you are a creation of the Constitution. You were not created by an act of parliament. Even though we are not under mining 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 swaping some of them”.
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 complain of marginalization 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
