Senate Launches Major Investigation Into Violations of Federal Character Principle in FG Appointments

 

The Nigerian Senate has officially kicked off a comprehensive investigation into what it describes as persistent and widespread violations of the federal character principle in the way ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government conduct recruitment and appointments.

This bold move by the Senate is not just another routine oversight—it’s a deep probe into years of complaints and growing frustration among Nigerians who believe that the principle of fairness, equity, and inclusion in government appointments has been continuously ignored.

The investigation formally began on Wednesday with a high-level interactive session between the Senate Committee on Federal Character and top executives from several powerful federal agencies. These agencies are now under scrutiny over whether they’ve followed the constitutional requirement to reflect Nigeria’s ethnic, regional, and cultural diversity in their hiring practices.

Why This Investigation Matters

To understand why this is such a big deal, we need to look at what the federal character principle actually means. It’s a part of the Nigerian Constitution—specifically Sections 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). These sections make it very clear: when it comes to making appointments or recruiting for public offices, Nigeria’s incredible diversity—across ethnic groups, regions, and states—must be respected and represented.

In simpler terms, no one ethnic group or region should dominate government institutions. The idea is to ensure that every Nigerian, no matter where they come from, feels included in the running of the country. This helps to promote national unity, encourage loyalty to the country, and build a sense of belonging among all citizens.

However, despite this clear constitutional requirement, there have been growing complaints from citizens, civil society groups, and lawmakers about MDAs blatantly ignoring the federal character principle. People from certain regions, particularly minority groups, feel marginalised, and this has only led to anger, distrust, and disunity.

What the Senate Is Saying

The man leading this investigation is Senator Allwell Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East and also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character. According to him, this isn’t going to be a shallow or politically motivated inquiry. It’s going to be thorough, honest, and focused on real results.

“As enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the federal character principle is fundamental to our national cohesion,” Senator Onyesoh said. “It mandates that governance must reflect the diversity of our federation to prevent domination by any one group or region.”

He expressed deep concern that this vital constitutional principle has been routinely abused and ignored by several federal agencies over the years.

“It is now more honoured in the breach than in observance,” he lamented, suggesting that instead of being followed, the principle is more often violated.

He also pointed fingers at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), the very body responsible for ensuring compliance. According to Onyesoh, the FCC has struggled to enforce the law, even though it has the legal authority to do so.

To fix this, he proposed some serious reforms, including the possible creation of a special tribunal to handle violations related to the federal character principle more effectively.

The Committee’s Plan of Action

Senator Onyesoh made it clear that this investigation will not be a one-off event. The committee will use a range of tools, including:

• Investigative hearings

• Interactive sessions with agency heads

• On-the-spot visits to MDAs if necessary

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

He also made it known that this is not just about talk. The committee is prepared to use all the constitutional powers granted to them under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution. These powers give the Senate the authority to summon any official and demand documents or explanations during the course of the investigation.

“Full cooperation is expected, and the committee will not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 where necessary,” he warned.

President Tinubu’s Position and Public Support

In what some may find surprising, Senator Onyesoh also revealed that President Bola Tinubu fully supports this investigation. This is a powerful signal that the probe isn’t just a Senate initiative—it may have full backing from the highest level of government.

“Those aiming to hide behind or under the presidency would be disappointed, as the time to account for their misdeeds has come,” he stated firmly.

This suggests that any public official or agency head hoping to dodge accountability by claiming ties to the presidency will be disappointed. The message is loud and clear: no one is above the Constitution.

More Support from the Committee

Backing Onyesoh is Senator Simon Lalong, the committee’s Vice Chairman and the representative of Plateau South. Lalong echoed his colleague’s commitment, saying the Senate is determined to put an end to the abuse of the federal character principle.

He also shared the next steps in the investigation, revealing that starting Monday, the committee would begin receiving presentations from key federal institutions, including:

• The Federal Character Commission (FCC)

• The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC)

• The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

• The National Pension Commission (PenCom)

• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

These agencies will be asked tough questions and expected to provide clear evidence of how they have complied—or failed to comply—with the federal character principle in their recruitment and promotion processes.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for Nigeria?

This investigation could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s ongoing battle to build a truly inclusive and united country. The Senate’s willingness to confront one of the most sensitive but important issues in national governance shows that the cries of Nigerians are being heard—at least on this issue.

As this story continues to develop, NaijaRush will bring you updates, reactions, and expert opinions on what this means for fairness, justice, and national unity in Nigeria.

Stay tuned.