The House of Representatives on Tuesday made the decision to establish an ad-hoc committee with the purpose of requesting the Federal Character Commission to provide them with information regarding appointments made by Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies under its jurisdiction from 2015 to 2023.
The resolution was passed after the motion titled“Need to compel the Federal Character Commission to diligently discharge its constitutional and statutory mandate and responsibility” was adopted during Tuesday’s plenary session, with Paul Nnamchi as the mover.
Nnamchi, the representative of Isi-Uzo/Enugu East Federal Constituency, highlighted that the FCC Act was established in 1995 and incorporated into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Its main objective is to facilitate, oversee, and ensure adherence to the principles of fair distribution of bureaucratic, economic, media, and political positions across all levels of government.
No other constitution in Nigeria’s history, he claimed, had established such a regulatory body and given it the authority to promote national integration through the equitable, open, and impartial distribution of the nation’s resources and positions in public office.
The federal legislator expressed concern over the perception that certain sections of the country have an overwhelming control over bureaucratic, economic, media, and political positions, to the disadvantage of other sections. This perception persists despite the enactment and constitutional entrenchment of measures aimed at promoting national unity and equal opportunities, which occurred 28 and 24 years ago, respectively.
“The FCC has virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest amongst its commissioners as was the case about a year ago.
“The constitutional injunction is that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice, which also propagates national integration and abjure discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties,” he added.
In addition, he mentioned that the National Assembly has “our core oversight and supervisory duty” under section 88(2) (6) of the Constitution of 1999 to expose corruption, inefficiency, or waste in the implementation or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the use or allocation of funds appropriated by it.
He added that any violation of the Legislative houses (Power and Privileges) Act, 2017 is punishable by sanctions provided in Order Seventeen, Rule 1 (a) b) of the Standing Orders of the House, which states that all ministries, statutory agencies, bodies, or corporations shall forward to the speaker all reports required by statute within three months of the close of the reporting period.
He further emphasised that the National Assembly’s relevant Committee, when formed, has the authority to enact legislation requiring the FCC to carry out its legal obligations.
In order for there to be more legislative action, the committee has four weeks to present its findings.
