Senate asks Buhari to constitute board of Federal Character Commission

The senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute the board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The resolution of the upper legislative chamber was sequel to a motion sponsored by Enyinnaya Abaribe, senate minority leader, on Tuesday.

There have been reports that the agency has only one commissioner out of the 37 as required by law. Abdullahi Halidu Shinkafi, the lone commissioner, is expected to retire in April.

While moving the motion, Abaribe said the commission has not had a constituted board since 2018.

The minority leader said the development contravenes the constitution as amended.

On his part, Sabi Abdullahi, senate deputy minority whip, while supporting the motion said there was no need for a debate.

“I second this motion. This is not something that requires heated debate, it is a very straightforward issue,” he said.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the commission is one of “those tools” that would ensure fairness in employment across the country.

“Federal Character Commission is one of those national tools that work to ensure equity, fairness and justice in terms of employment distribution across all the 36 states and FCT,” Lawan said.

“It is very important that we have the full component of the commission in place.”

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Lawan.