Assembly workers demand strict compliance to federal character principles

By Jude Opara, Abuja

Workers of the National Assembly have demanded that the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) without further delay correct what they describe as breaches of the federal character principle in ongoing appointments into the directorate cadre.
In a letter signed by y its Chairman, Sabiyyi Sunday, the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) chapter of the National Assembly, urged the Commission to borrow a leaf from President Bola Tinubu, who recently reversed the controversial promotion of his Aide-De-Camp to Brigadier General, insisting that the supremacy of due process and the principle that no public official is above the law must be preserved.
According to the association, their petition is firmed in constitutional and statutory mandates designed to ensure fairness in public service recruitment.
“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. 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.”
PASAN further rejected what it described as a pattern of skewed appointments, in which some states already represented in the secretary cadre have been selected again to fill vacancies, while other states within the same geopolitical zones are consistently ignored. This, the union insisted, not only violates the letter and spirit of the federal character principle but also fuels a sense of exclusion within the workforce.
The staff commended President Tinubu for promptly reversing the elevation of his ADC, describing it as a decisive demonstration of leadership anchored on fairness and integrity.
They added that the action of President Tinubu signals a clear expectation that institutions must uphold the law without fear or favour; even as they urged the NASC to follow the exemplary precedent and ensure that its decisions reflect balance, justice and the highest standards of good governance.
PASAN who warned that continued disregard for constitutional provisions could trigger industrial tension, admonished the Commission to take immediate corrective action and restore confidence in the appointment process.
Analysts believe that with the workers’ letter now in circulation, attention is expected to shift to how the NASC responds to the development.