Politics
Senate Probes Abuse Of Federal Character Principle In Recruitment, Promotion
The Senate, on Tuesday, resolved to look into the systemic abuse of Federal Character principle in recruitment, promotion, and political interference in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government (MDAs), and the uneven infrastructural development across the country.
The lawmakers also resolved to determine the level of compliance with Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by the MDAs.
The lawmakers consequently mandated its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to conduct thorough investigative hearings on all MDAs of the Federal Government with a view to immediately ascertaining their degrees of compliance with the provisions of Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), ensuring fair and equitable representation across all regions and ethnic groups in appointments, promotions and recruitment and report back in four weeks.
The resolutions of the lawmakers were sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu, at plenary on Tuesday.
Earlier, moving the motion, Ngwu noted the persistent challenges in achieving balance and equity within Nigeria’s public service due to limited recruitment opportunities, skewed promotions based solely on years of service, and insufficient avenues for worker mobility outside the public sector.
He also noted that the Federal Character Principle, entrenched in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria (as amended) mandates fair representation in federal appointments to reflect the linguistic, ethnic, religious, and geographic diversity of the nation.
The lawmaker observed with concern that the process of addressing public sector disparities has been undermined by institutional inertia and a lack of accountability, particularly as recruitment at senior levels is influenced more by internal preferences than by merit and fairness.
He lamented that the contempt emanating from the foregoing, if unchecked, will continually erode the efficacy of Section 14(d) & (e) ofthe Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017, Part.I(1) (2) of the Subsidiary Legislation 23 of 1997 and Sections 11(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
He expressed concerns that the Federal Character Commission (FCC), whilst constutionally empowered, remained hindered by chronic underfunding, political interference and limited enforcement capabilities
He said, “Aware that Section 14(3) & (4) of the Constitution, which unequivocally stipulate that “no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups” should exist within the federal government or its agencies; Also aware that despite a focus on geographical quotas, imbalances persist between institutions, often relocating problems rather than resolving them, while certain regions remain underrepresented.
“Also observes that the quota system has, in many cases, created confusion between merit-based recruitment and equitable state representation, to the detriment of discipline, morale and institutional efficiency; Highlights the constitutional criteria for equitable distribution of employment which requires that each state
contributes its proportionate quota of 2.75% of the national workforce; and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to account for 1.00% of the workforce; while catchment areas are to address localized recruitment for junior staff up to 75% of positions.
“Regrets that against the spirit of Order 96(27)(b) of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) and Sections 62, 88, 89, 14(3)-(4) and the Third Schedule Part I C8(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which bestowed on its Committee on Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs the power of legislative oversight in matters connected to the implementation and monitoring of the policy, it is deemed that various federal institutions including NNPCL and its subsidiaries, NUPRC, NAFDAC, NPA, PENCOM, NDIC, FUTA, NLN, SMEDAN, ECN, SMDE, NNRA have consistently failed to adhere to federal character mandates, often bypassing regulations in their recruitment exercise (evidences abound).”
A new report by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) has called for stricter oversight of political campaign financing in Nigeria, recommending that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) establish independent finance committees within political parties to ensure compliance with regulations.
The report, which assessed political finance in Edo and Ondo states, was presented in Abuja on Tuesday by KDI’s Head of Research and Strategy, Oluwafemi John Adebayo.
He emphasised the need for grassroots funding models, such as small-donor contributions, to enhance financial transparency in elections.
The KDI report proposed several measures to improve political finance oversight, including:the reintroduction of a data-driven formula for setting campaign spending ceilings, incorporating cost-per-vote share (CPV) analysis, inflation rates, and the number of registered voters.
“Periodic reviews of expenditure limits based on empirical data from previous elections and mandatory real-time reporting of major campaign expenditures and contributions for immediate oversight.
“Requiring political parties to submit pre-election financial reports in addition to post-election audits.
“Strengthening the Campaign Finance Monitoring Unit and the inter-agency committee on campaign finance with clear guidelines and frameworks.
“Collaborating with financial institutions to track political transactions and flag suspicious expenditures and increasing penalties for electoral finance violations to make them financially consequential.
“Mandating media outlets to report the cost of political advertisements to INEC for verification”,he said .
Speaking at the presentation, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanikpekum Olukoyede, commended KDI’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process..
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Represented by Effa Okim, he highlighted the risks of financial inducements and other irregularities in elections, warning that they could undermine the legitimacy of electoral outcomes and governance.
“The way leadership emerges often reflects the standards of the electoral process, and concerns about undue financial influence in elections have been widely discussed,” Okim stated.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, also reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to electoral reforms.
“While financial resources are essential for campaign activities, there is a compelling need to ensure that political financing remains within legal limits and does not become a tool for unlawfulness or the subversion of democracy,” Balogun said.
KDI Executive Director Bukola Idowu expressed concerns about the presence of unregulated financial flows, often referred to as “dark money,” in Nigerian politics.
He noted that both major political parties operate under large financial structures with little transparency or accountability.
“This lack of transparency and disregard for legal compliance, particularly concerning Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022, have significant impacts on the electoral and democratic process in Nigeria,” Idowu stated.
He emphasised that addressing political finance issues requires collective action, adding that KDI remains committed to promoting integrity, fairness, and accountability in the electoral system.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has been a key supporter of KDI’s research.
Speaking at the event, FCDO representative Mathew Ayibakuro underscored the importance of data-driven governance and transparency in political finance.
“As we all know, political finance is at the very heart of democratic integrity. Reports like this provide valuable insights into the mechanics of campaign financing and help guide policy discussions on electoral reforms,” Ayibakuro said.
President Bola Tinubu has warned Peter Obi to watch his mouth and stop running his government down.
The presidency, via a statement by Mr Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, condemned Mr Obi’s “exaggerated” excoriation of the incumbent president.
Mr Obi, a former presidential candidate and ex-governor, had accused Mr Tinubu’s government of political brigandage and corruption, claiming that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria.
The presidency took an exception to his claim.
“I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery,” the presidential aide warned. “His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation.”
He berated Mr Obi as a “discontented and disgruntled” politician.
Mr Onanuga reasoned that if democracy had collapsed, as alleged by Mr Obi, the former Anambra governor would not enjoy free speech.
“How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years be said to have collapsed?” said the presidential spokesman. “Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens.”
He added, “If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also made damaging comments about the Tinubu presidency at the colloquium.
… Insists everything has been knocked down
… Condemns Fubara’s suspension
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, says Nigeria’s democracy is collapsing over the suspension of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state.
Obi spoke on Monday at the 60th birthday anniversary colloquium of Emeka Ihedioha, the former deputy speaker of the house of representatives.
BACKGROUND
Last Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing the protracted political crisis and vandalisation of oil facilities.
The president suspended Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and all house of assembly members for six months.
Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers state.
On Thursday, the senate and the house of representatives controversially ratified Tinubu’s request for the emergency rule.
Several stakeholders, including the South-South Governors’ Forum, have condemned the emergency rule.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the event, Obi recalled how the presidency attempted to intervene when the Anambra house of assembly impeached him as governor.
The Anambra house of assembly impeached Obi as the governor on November 2, 2006. The court reinstated him in February 2007 after he challenged the impeachment.
He said former President Olusegun Obasanjo who governed the country at the time, dispatched a delegation in an attempt to halt his impeachment.
Obi said Nigeria’s democracy which has been progressing since 1999 is now being “knocked down” by the current administration.
“Some people came and knocked everything down. That is the situation we are in now. Everything has been knocked down. Nothing works,” he said.
“I became a governor through the court when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government.
“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office, and the court declared me the winner. It can’t happen in Nigeria today.
“When I was being impeached, the president sent people to come and intervene on my behalf. Ken Nnamani came, begging the house (house of assembly) not to impeach me.
“Today, the president (Tinubu) is impeaching a person (Fubara).
“They were in PDP; I was in APGA. The president was calling and saying, ‘Peter, are you okay? Even when I was impeached, President Obasanjo called and said, ‘Are you okay? Are you safe?
“When the court eventually declared me (the winner) under Andy Uba (as governor), President Yar’Adua called my phone in London and said, ‘Come back. I said, President, I can’t come back.
“When I came back, the military people came and received me at the airport. I couldn’t believe it. And took me straight to him.
“Now, the president would ask me not to come back. Democracy is collapsing.”
On May 18, 2004, Obasanjo declared a state of emergency in Plateau state following violent ethnic and religious clashes.
He suspended Joshua Dariye, the governor, and the state legislature, appointing a retired general, Chris Alli, as the state’s sole administrator.