FCC seeks legislative support for reforms, warns against growing tensions

Kayode Oladele, acting chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), has called for closer collaboration with the national assembly to improve oversight, transparency, and reduce national tensions rooted in perceived marginalisation.

Speaking during an interactive session with the House Committee on Federal Character in Abuja on Tuesday, Oladele said the FCC needs enhanced legislative support to fulfil its constitutional mandate effectively.

He stressed the importance of synergy with lawmakers in realising equity, inclusiveness, and fairness in the distribution of public offices and socio-economic opportunities across Nigeria.

Oladele noted that the Commission is currently grappling with funding constraints, which affects its ability to monitor over 700 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and maintain presence across all 36 states and the FCT.

The FCC chairman urged the national assembly to support reforms, approve joint enlightenment programmes, and improve budgetary allocations to the Commission.

He also criticised some government agencies and state governments for frustrating the Commission’s work by refusing to cooperate.

“Many agencies have always worked to frustrate the activities of the commission by claiming that they are not under the control of the Commission, while some state governments have also not been cooperating with the Commission,” he said.

Oladele proposed that the national assembly review and amend the FCC’s enabling law to give it greater autonomy in enforcement, including digital monitoring, recruitment audits, and sanctions.

He further suggested expanding the Commission’s mandate to include the monitoring and enforcement of civil rights guaranteed under the constitution.

According to him, as a regulatory agency, the Commission is responsible for “monitoring, evaluation, and enforcement of compliance”, but needs stronger backing from lawmakers.

“The authority of the legislature provides the political and institutional weight necessary to ensure adherence, especially when MDAs fail to meet constitutional obligations.

“Second, synergy fosters transparency and accountability. When our institutions speak with one voice, conduct joint inspections, share data, and coordinate on compliance reports, we send a strong message that no agency is above the law and that deviation from federal character principles will not be tolerated.

“Third, and perhaps most importantly, synergy helps reduce national tension and agitation. It is no secret that many of the grievances expressed across regions in Nigeria, whether political, economic, or security-related, are rooted in perceptions of marginalisation, domination, and exclusion.”

Committee Chair Wase Slams Agencies Over Non-Compliance

In his remarks, Idris Wase, chairman of the committee and former deputy speaker, faulted the conduct of some government agencies that, according to him, are attempting to usurp the duties of the Commission.

He said Section 14(3) and the third schedule of the constitution clearly define the Commission’s mandate as the sole government agency responsible for enforcing federal character.

“An act of parliament establishing any agency cannot take the place of the Constitution,” Wase said.

“Agencies not complying with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission are working against the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the country.

“We have engaged several agencies and what we see is not in the interest of this country. We are not happy with the interference coming from some agencies.”

Wase also disclosed that the committee had summoned the minister of education over appointments into newly established institutions where key officers are reportedly drawn from the same region — in violation of federal character provisions.

“We want to see how we can address that issue maybe by swapping some of them,” he said.

He further criticised agencies conducting recruitment exercises without a nominal roll, warning that such practices violate the principles of fair distribution in employment.