The Senate yesterday threatened to unmask violators of the Federal Character principle in recruiting personnel into the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.

The Federal Character Principle in Nigeria is enshrined in Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

It stipulates that the composition of the government and its agencies, at both the federal and state levels, must reflect the diversity of the country and ensure that no single ethnic group or state dominates.

The principle aims to promote national unity, loyalty, and a sense of belonging for all citizens. But this has been grossly violated by public officers at both the federal and state levels over the years.

In a move to curb the violation, the Senate had, at plenary on March 25, 2025 after exhaustive debate on a motion sponsored by Minority Whip Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), mandated its Committee on Federal Character to investigate the violations of the principle across the various MDAs. At the beginning of its probe, while interacting with heads of MDAs, Committee Chairman Allwell Onyesoh (PDP, Rivers East) warned them not to hide any documents needed for the investigation.

?As enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal Character Principle is fundamental to our national cohesion.

?It mandates that governance must reflect the diversity of our federation to prevent domination by any one group or region.

?Sadly, systemic abuse and ineffective enforcement have made this principle more honoured in the breach than in observance.

?Persistent non-compliance by many MDAs in both recruitment and infrastructure allocation has fueled marginalisation and deepened discontent.

?The Federal Character Commission (FCC), despite its legal powers, has struggled with enforcement. This reality calls for urgent reforms ? possibly including a Federal Character Compliance Tribunal ? to ensure that violations are meaningfully addressed,? he said.

?This committee will pursue its mandate through rigorous investigative hearings, interactive sessions, and, where necessary, on-the-spot assessments.

?Our approach is not punitive but corrective. We aim to foster accountability, reinforce equity, and restore trust in our national institutions.

?We call on all stakeholders ? MDAs, civil society, and the public ? to support this process. Full cooperation is expected, and the committee will not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers under sections 88 and 89 where necessary,? he said.

Onyesoh added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is 100 per cent behind the planned investigation.

The committee chairman warned that ?those aiming to hide behind or under the Presidency would be disappointed as the time to account for their misdeeds has come?.

Committee Vice Chairman Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) said the committee was all out to stop the violation in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

According to him, the first set of agencies that will face the committee for the investigation, as from next Monday, are the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Pension Commission (PenCom), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among others. (The Nation)

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