Senate to probe MDAs over federal character breaches
The Nigerian Senate has vowed to take firm action against Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) found to be in breach of the Federal Character principle in recruitment practices.
Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP, Rivers), who leads the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, made this known during an investigative hearing on Wednesday.
The session focused on allegations of non-compliance with constitutional provisions concerning fairness in public sector appointments.
Onyesoh urged MDAs not to withhold any relevant documentation required for the probe, stressing that the Federal Character Principle, as stated in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is central to national integration and stability.
“It mandates that government operations must reflect the diverse makeup of the federation, to prevent the dominance of any single group or region,” he said.
He described the ongoing violations by many MDAs as deeply troubling, noting that such practices have worsened feelings of exclusion and fuelled discontent across various regions.
“Despite the powers vested in the Federal Character Commission, enforcement has been weak. It may be time to consider establishing a Federal Character Compliance Tribunal to ensure that breaches are adequately dealt with,” Onyesoh added.
He clarified that the committee’s approach would not be punitive but corrective.
“Our goal is to promote accountability, affirm fairness, and rebuild public confidence in government institutions,” he said.
He encouraged stakeholders, including MDAs, civil society organisations, and the general public, to lend their support to the committee’s work. He also made it clear that the committee would not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 when necessary.
Senator Onyesoh stated that President Bola Tinubu supported the investigation and cautioned those seeking refuge behind presidential backing that they would soon face consequences for their actions.
The committee’s Vice Chairman, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau), added that the investigation aimed to put an end to the systemic abuse of the principle, which he described as detrimental to national unity.
Lalong listed the first agencies to face scrutiny starting Monday as the Federal Character Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Pension Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others.
Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution mandate equitable representation in government structures, both at federal and state levels, to ensure no single ethnic group or region dominates.
The principle is intended to foster unity and give every citizen a sense of belonging, but it has reportedly been ignored by public office holders for years.
The Senate had, during plenary on Tuesday, following a motion by Minority Whip Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu), tasked the Federal Character Committee with conducting a full investigation into the reported violations across various MDAs.
