A civil society group, United Youth for Growth and Development, UYGD, has said that the Southern Nigeria is not interested in the Secretary of Federal Character Commission, FCC, as being claimed by a group of people.
The NGO Executive Director, Comrade Adebiyi Wasiu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his executive power to address constitutional infractions in the commission by appointing chairman of the FCC from the southern part of Nigeria.
Comrade Wasiu disclosed this at a press conference held in Osogbo, on Monday, told the newsmen that they want President to demonstrate fairness in the appointment of the FCC Chairman.
Comrade Wasiu stressed that appointment of who become the FCC Chairman is made at the discretion of the President and no law allows any member of our society to challenge such decision of the President
He, however, emphasized that the southern is not interested in the Secretary position of the Commission saying “Comparatively, Secretary of the commission is the head of the Commission Secretariat, Administration, direction and control of all employees but subject to the approval of the Chairman. He is neither a member of the Commission nor a decision or policy makers in the Commission
The UYGD boss said “We watched with keen interest and utmost loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) the unfolding calls by some civil society organizations on the President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to address alleged constitutional infractions in the Federal Character Commission (FCC) in some print, electronic and online media on the 26th March, 2021 in an organized press conference in Osogbo, Osun State on the subject matter.
“It is of utmost importance to put the record straight and address the issues fairly without fear or favour and without any bias or sentiment whatsoever.
“In most heterogeneous societies like Nigeria, the greatest recurrent problem is that protection and accommodation of generality of interest of its components or entities and consequent elimination of looming fears or worries of its members especially the minority.
“In other words, the challenge is to prevent the predominance of members from major ethnic group in the political geo-entity by ensuring equitable distribution of powers and resources. This is the Purpose of Section 14 (3) & (4) of the 1999 constitution.
“In a sincerely bid to actualize this dream, Section 153 (1) (c) of the 1999 constitution established Federal Character Commission with a view to guaranteeing the operation and implementation of the principle of Federal Character.
“The Composition of the Commission is as stipulated by Paragraph 7(1)(a)&(b) of part 1 to the third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and which was reinforced by Section 2(1) of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.
“Each state of the Federation is involved in the policy making through their representation, hence no State or Geo-political zone or Section of the country is marginalized.
“It has been argued that since the establishment of the Commission in 1996, there have been five chairmen and none came from the Southern Nigeria. A call was made and petitions written against the appointment of Dr. Muheeba Farida Dankaka who is from the North Central, but the Senate Committee under the leadership of Senator Lah swept it under the carpet and never considered any of the petitions” he said.
Comrade Wasiu wondered that since the establishment of the commission in 1996, why no candidate has ever been appointed to serve as the FCC chairman from the southern Nigeria .
