Where is the character in the federal character commission of Nigeria?

By; Precious Daniel: Abuja…

Federal Character Principle is one of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The underlying purpose of the Principle in a multi ethnic society as Nigeria is to ensure equal participation, distribution and inclusion of the various ethnic extractions in the governance of the country. The Principle is also aimed at preventing monopoly of power and domination by an individual, group of people, religion or ethnic group in the affairs of the country and the exclusion of other states, regions and ethnic groups.

Without doubt, Nigeria, as many other great nations in the world, is the most populous country in the continent of Africa with more than 200 million people. The country is divided into 36 states including the federal capital territory (FCT), 774 local government areas and 250 languages. The religious, ethnics and cultural diversities of the federating units make it unique.

Asserting the principles that formed the federal character is anchored on distinctive desires of the people of Nigeria to promote National unity, foster national loyalty and give every citizens of Nigeria a sense of belonging to the nation notwithstanding the diversities of ethnic origin, culture, language or religion which may exist and which it is there to nourish, harness to the enrichment of the federal republic of Nigeria.

The principles were introduced for equitable sharing of posts and even distribution and allocation of natural, economic resources. Its suggests an attempt to build a nation where equal opportunities abound, where every part of the country gained access to political and economic benefits and where every individual must feel that he/she has equal chance to participate without bias of ethnic affiliation.

Also, the federal character commission is a reaction as well as a system. It is a positive reaction to correct those practices that reflect selfish and parochial consideration, especially those negative forces which placed self interests above national interest.

The question begging for an answer in the mouth of everyone is whether federal character commission has been able to achieve its laudable goals of National cohesion and unity. In June, 2020.

President Muhammed Buhari appointed and swears in Dr. Muheeba Farida. Dankaka as the fourth chairman of the federal character commission, and 36 commissioners representing each state of the federation including FCT.

But since the inception of Muheeba F. Dankaka as the executive chairman of the federating commission, the federal character commission principles and its implementation has failed to bring into Nigeria competent and motivated workforce that could support administrative effectiveness to enhanced performance in the implementation of principles and government policies for sustainable development, transparency, peace and unity.

National Unity is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens. It means that though citizens belong to different tribes, religions, regions and speak different languages, they still recognize themselves as one and this kind of unity in diversity is very important in the building of a strong and prosperous nation.

It is imperative to note that one among the mandates bestowed on the federal character commission is to unify the states of the federation.

Where recruitment, promotions, retirement and other activities in all MDA’s in the country reflect the Character Balancing Index (CBI) and open before all commissioners in the commission to ensure transparency, fairness, equity and justice.

Barely seven months after the inauguration of Muheeba F. Dankaka by President Muhammadu Buhari as the executive chairman of the federation character commission, the commission lost its purpose of action.

The purpose of action is the intention of using the provisions of federal character in promoting national integration objectives, and build a united, free and egalitarian society for all Nigerian citizens. In design, the principle is expected to enhance national unity and integration, but presently in execution, there are a lot of problems, which borders on wrong application of the principles, abuse of power, disregard to constitutional provisions and extant laws and high headedness” in running the affairs of the commission.

The Sinister Misinterpretation and Misapplication of section 2(1) of the Act that established the Federal Character principle as well as unwholesome arrogation of power to self, thereby alienating the commissioners, plenary and commission from the activities and operation/administration of the commission,” as well as abuse of the commission’s annual budget process, and failure to give financial transactions statement to the plenary.

Since inguaration of the executive chairman of the federal character commission by President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC led federal government to champion its effort of enhancing equitable distribution of National wealth and other opportunities, the chairman Dr. Muheeba Dankaka has been liaising directly with MDA’s CEO indiscriminating granting them waiver and certificate of compliance without recourse to the Commission, as enshrined in Rule 28 of the Rules for Plenary 2015, and thereby creates injury to many job seekers and in the process enthroned National hatred and disintegration.

It is on records that the Chairman of the Commission purporting to exercise her powers as Chief Executive Officer of the Commission sometime in November, 2020 employed twenty-two [22] persons into the employment of the Commission without regards to the Federal Character policy of the Federal Government which the Commission is expected to enforce. Out of the 22 employees, over 50% of them were not only from the home state of the Chairman, they were all from her Senatorial district in Kwara State.

The Chairman contrary to the Federal Character {Establishment Act} has constituted herself as a one-man committee in charge of revenue generating agencies of Federal government. Some of the agencies the Chairman has held on to the file and indeed failed to assign to Committees in the Commission are, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, [NNPC] Niger Delta Development Commission, [NDDC] Nigeria Ports Authority, [NPA] Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency [NIMASA] Department of State Security [DSS] Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Federal Inland Revenue [FIRS] amongst others.

It is important to note that in view of the erroneous stand point of the Chairman, Commissioners of the Commissions are totally at sea as it relates to the activities of the Commission as the Chairman has virtually rendered inactive the various organs of the Commission created for the effective performance of the operations/functions of the Federal Character Commission.

The above statistics is a clear evidence of high rate of incompetence inherent in the system. These behaviours or actions are against the letters of the law establishing Federal Character principle with greater implication for National integration.

It is obvious to say that the aim of using the Federal character principle as a mechanism for enhancing national integration is still a mirage. In reality, the practices of character principles under the leadership of the executive chairman have rather become a problem when it supposed to be a solution.

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