FCC Seeks Special Tribunal to Prosecute Federal Character Violations, Cites Funding Constraints

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Huluyat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called for the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute violations of the Federal Character Principle, stressing that the Commission requires stronger legal backing, improved funding and enhanced operational support to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

Omidiran made the appeal on Wednesday during an interactive session between the Federal Character Commission and the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs in Abuja.

She said that despite the Commission's strategic role in promoting national unity, fairness, inclusiveness and stability, its effectiveness has been hampered by inadequate budgetary allocations and persistent operational challenges.

According to her, the FCC, one of the 14 independent federal executive bodies established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is mandated to supervise and monitor recruitment exercises in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) while ensuring the equitable distribution of socio-economic amenities and infrastructural projects across the country.

"The Federal Character Commission plays a vital role in promoting national unity, fairness, inclusiveness and stability in the execution of government projects and programmes nationwide. However, our effectiveness has been greatly constrained by inadequate funding, particularly under the restrictive envelope budgeting system," she said.

Omidiran explained that one of the Commission's key responsibilities involves monitoring socio-economic and infrastructural projects across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government areas, a task that requires regular inspections, verification exercises and follow-up visits.

She argued that it was inappropriate for the Commission to depend on the same agencies it regulates for logistics and operational support.

"As a constitutional regulatory body, it is inappropriate and ethically compromising for the Commission to depend on the regulated Ministries, Departments and Agencies for logistics and operational support, as this undermines the independence and integrity of its oversight function," she stated.

The FCC Chairman also lamented the Commission's inability to carry out sustained public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns aimed at educating Nigerians on the relevance of the Federal Character Principle to national development.

She disclosed that financial limitations had equally prevented commissioners from undertaking routine oversight visits to their respective states.

"One of our biggest challenges is sensitisation and public enlightenment. Nigerians need to understand what the Commission stands for, how it affects their daily lives and how the Federal Character Principle protects their interests. Unfortunately, we have been unable to adequately carry out these programmes because of inadequate funding," she said.

Omidiran further revealed that the Commission's operational capacity had been weakened by a shortage of vehicles and logistics infrastructure.

"As we speak, none of the commissioners has an official vehicle. The car pool is virtually empty, and even as Executive Chairman, I am managing a fairly used vehicle and hoping it does not break down on my way to and from the office," she said.

She appealed to the Senate Committee to support the Commission's quest for increased budgetary allocations, additional manpower, improved staff welfare, technological upgrades and operational vehicles.

The FCC boss also urged lawmakers to back the creation of a special Federal Character Commission Tribunal to fast-track the prosecution of individuals and institutions found guilty of violating federal character provisions.

According to her, the Commission has already engaged the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to strengthen its legal department and improve enforcement mechanisms.

Omidiran disclosed that the Commission had commenced the digitisation of its recruitment monitoring and compliance systems to improve transparency and efficiency, adding that a new website had recently been launched as part of ongoing reforms.

Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ede Dafinone, expressed concern over persistent allegations of recruitment irregularities, job racketeering and non-compliance with federal character requirements in some government agencies.

The senator said the committee was disturbed by reports of manipulated nominal rolls, abuse of waiver provisions and other practices that undermine equitable representation in federal institutions.

He assured the Commission that the Committee would carefully consider its requests for improved funding, staff welfare, operational support and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

"The Federal Character Commission must be adequately empowered, properly funded, accountable and proactive in advancing national unity and inclusion. Every Nigerian must have confidence that there is a place for them in the Nigerian project," Dafinone said.

The interactive session formed part of the Committee's oversight responsibilities aimed at assessing the challenges facing the Commission and strengthening the implementation of the Federal Character Principle across the country.