FEDERAL polytechnics violating the federal character principle in their activities, especially staff recruitment, would henceforth be sanctioned.
The executive chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Muheeba Dankaka, who made this known in her office on Thursday, November 28, while speaking with newsmen said the federal character principle remained sacred and non-compliance by federal polytechnics would no longer be tolerated.
“We will not tolerate any form of abuse of the federal character principle in federal polytechnics, especially in staff recruitment. The principle is non-negotiable and any polytechnic found wanting will be seriously dealt with,” she warned.
She said the commission was committed to ensuring that all federal institutions, including polytechnics, adhere to the federal character principle which, according to her, aims to promote national unity, fairness, and equity in all aspects of national life.
The ICIR reports that the commission chairman’s warning comes after the House of Representatives reportedly uncovered cases of extra-budgetary spending, abandoned and uncompleted projects, and abuse of the federal character principle in some federal polytechnics across Nigeria.
While emphasising that the commission would not hesitate to take appropriate action against any federal polytechnic that violates the principle, Muheeba said: “We will work closely with the House of Representatives and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the principle is upheld.”
Speaking on how the commission ensures fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts among Nigeria’s federating units, she said: “We have provided a guideline and formulae for the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructure.
“The guidelines and formulae are contained in our handbook. For every recruitment in the federal establishments, a representative of the commission is sent to monitor and ensure that fairness and equity are maintained in all recruitment exercises and processes.
Responding to allegations over job racketeering within the commission which led to her invitation by the National ssembly last year, she said she was cleared of the allegations.
“One of the problems I met on assumption of duty was the public perception of job racketeering in the commission which I fought seriously and restored the confidence of the public in our ability to carry out our mandate without fear or favour.
“The sponsored allegation of job racketeering under my leadership which led to my invitation by the National Assembly was cleared. I went there and cleared the allegation,” she said.
According to the FCC chairperson, the impression that job slots were freely sold in the commission is no longer there. “Through regular interactive meetings with the chief executives of MDAs and sensitisation programmes through the media, much enlightenment was achieved on the activities of the commission.”
Fidelis Mac-Leva is the Deputy Editor of The ICIR/Head of Investigation. He has previously worked with several media outfits in Nigeria, including DAILY TIMES and DAILY TRUST. A compellingly readable Features writer, his forte is Public Interest Journalism which enables him to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted..." He can be reached via fmacleva@icirnigeria.org, @FidelisLeva on X