The Senate Wednesday vowed to unmask violators of federal character principle in the recruitment of personnel into the various federal government owned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The Federal Character principle is enshrined in Section 14(3) and 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
It mandates that the composition of the government and its agencies, at both the federal and state levels, must reflect the diversity of the country and ensure no single ethnic group or state dominates.
The principle aims to promote national unity, loyalty, and a sense of belonging for all citizens which however, has been grossly violated by public officers at both the federal and state levels over the years.
In curbing the violation, the Senate had in plenary Tuesday March 25, 2025 after exhaustive debate on motion sponsored by its minority whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP Enugu West ), mandated its Committee on Federal Character to investigate violation of the principle across the various MDAs.
Kick starting the investigation with an interactive session with heads of critical agencies Wednesday, the committee headed by Senator Allwell Onyesoh (PDP Rivers East) , admonished them not to hide any documents needed for the investigation .
“As enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Federal Character Principle is fundamental to our national cohesion,” he stated.