Reps consider bill to ensure mandatory appointment of FCC chair, secretary from different regions

A bill seeking to make the appointment of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) chairperson and secretary from different regions compulsory has passed second reading at the house of representatives.

The bill, which aims to amend the Federal Character Commission act 2004, is sponsored by Unyime Idem, a lawmaker representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency of Akwa Ibom state.

At the moment, the chairperson and secretary of the federal character commission are from the same region of the country.

Farida Dankaka, the commission’s chairperson is from Kwara, while Tukur Bello, the secretary, hails from Taraba.

The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint chairperson and secretary of the commission from the same region has been criticised by Nigerians.

Idem said the bill proposes a legal framework and guide for the presidential appointment of the two key positions to ensure the effective “running and administration of the objectives of setting up of the commission”.

He said the bill seeks to amend sections 2 and 9 of the existing act which deals with the appointment of the commission’s chairperson and secretary to ensure “equitable distribution of the key positions in the commission”.

The bill proposes a new subsection 9 (c) (1) which reads thus: “The president shall put into consideration in the appointment of the secretary — that the positions of the secretary and the chairman appointed for the commission shall not be from the same region of the country in compliance with the principles of federal character.”

“The amendments are imputed to strengthen the administration, organisation, and management of the commission in line with best practices and global standards,” Idem said.

“Nigeria is a vast and diverse nation to which there should be equal representation of all the regions. The commission shoulders a huge responsibility of handling a high volume of representation that requires the trust and confidence of the whole country.

“Having a regional representation would make the commission equitable and efficient, thereby having a ripple effect on the developmental system of the country.

Idem added that “the need to amend the Federal Character Commission Act to put in place a legal framework for the appointment of the two crucial positions of chairman and secretary of the commission to be from the two regions of the country is a patriotic move” and should be supported by all.

The bill was unanimously voted for when it was put to a voice vote by Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house.