Ayodele Oluwafemi
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has called for strict adherence to the federal character principle in the appointments of secretaries in the national assembly.
In a letter dated December 22 and addressed to the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, the association said section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution advocates for “equitable representation across Nigeria’s federating units in public appointments”.The letter was signed by Sabiyyi Sunday, chairman of PASAN’s national assembly chapter.
The workers noted that states already represented in the secretary cadre of the national assembly are often appointed to fill vacancies, while other states in the same zone are denied the opportunity.
“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,” the letter reads.
“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.“We also commend the President’s decision to reverse the promotion of his aide-de-camp (ADC), 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.
“Furthermore, 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.”
