Dare Babalola
Staff members of the National Assembly have voiced strong objections to perceived ongoing breaches of the federal character principle in secretary appointments, cautioning that persistent non-compliance with constitutional guidelines may precipitate industrial action.
The National Assembly chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria formally protested the alleged violations in a letter addressed to the National Assembly Service Commission chairman, with the correspondence made available to journalists at the organisation’s Abuja headquarters on Sunday.
The letter, signed by union chairman Sabiyyi Sunday on December 22, cited Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024, emphasizing the requirement for fair representation of Nigeria’s federating units in public appointments.
The union chairman expressed concern over an alleged pattern where states already represented in the secretary cadre are consistently favoured in appointments, excluding other states within the same geopolitical zone, describing it as a recurring practice.
He said, “We note with concern instances where a state already represented in the secretary cadre is appointed to fill a vacancy, while other states in the same zone are denied the opportunity.
“This practice is contrary to the Federal Character principle and undermines the spirit of equitable representation. We urge the Commission to ensure strict adherence to the law and avoid perpetuating imbalance in appointments.”
Sunday cited recent events at the Presidency as an example of adherence to due process, commending President Bola Tinubu for reversing the controversial promotion of his Aide-de-Camp.
He said, “We commend the President’s decision to reverse the promotion of his Aide-De-Camp, showcasing his commitment to fairness and integrity.
“This exemplary leadership demonstrates that no one is above the rules and promotes a culture of accountability and transparency. We urge the Commission to follow this precedent, ensuring fairness in decisions and upholding the principles of good governance.”
The association warned that failure to observe the principle in staffing decisions at the National Assembly would deepen perceptions of bias and undermine fairness in the system.
“We humbly draw attention to the provisions of section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, further detailed in the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024, which mandates equitable representation across Nigeria’s federating units in public appointments.
“Respecting this principle in appointments is crucial to maintaining fairness and avoiding perceptions of bias. We urge the Commission to ensure compliance to prevent potential industrial unrest,” the letter partly read.
PASAN said it expected the commission to act swiftly on the matter, stressing that compliance with the law was critical to maintaining harmony within the National Assembly bureaucracy.
“We trust that you will take immediate action, and appreciate your attention to this matter,” the union urged.
Recall that the protest comes about a week after Tinubu reportedly reversed the promotion of his Aide-De-Camp, Nuruddeen Yusuf, to the rank of brigadier-general following public backlash and criticism within the Nigerian Army.
A Presidency source had told PREMIUM TIMES that the president “bowed to a superior argument” and cancelled the promotion after it generated widespread discontent and debate over due process and fairness in military promotions.
The decision has since been cited by critics as a benchmark for accountability and adherence to established rules, particularly in sensitive appointments within government institutions, including the National Assembly.
