N’Assembly staff protest over breach of federal character in appointments

NASS complex

Parliamentary workers at the National Assembly have expressed opposition to what they describe as persistent violations of the federal character principle in the appointment of secretaries, warning that continued disregard for constitutional provisions could lead to industrial unrest.

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, National Assembly chapter, made the demand in a formal protest letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission and made available to journalists at its headquarters in Abuja on Sunday.

The letter signed by the union chairman, Sabiyyi Sunday and dated December 22, drew attention to Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024, which mandate equitable representation of Nigeria’s federating units in public appointments.

The union chairman expressed concern over what it described as a recurring practice in which states already represented in the secretary cadre are repeatedly favoured when vacancies arise, to the exclusion of other states within the same geopolitical zone. Punch