GROUPS APPEAL FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE IN RECENT APPOINTMENTS
By Morris Nor// With utmost respect, we the undersigned write on behalf of our various organizations to draw Your Excellency’s kind attention to a matter of grave constitutional concern relating to the recent appointment of Hon. Ayo Omidiran from Osun State as the Chairman designate of the Federal Character Commission, a federal Executive Body.
The 1999 Constitution (as amended), particularly Section 14(3), and the Federal Character Commission Act (Cap F7, LFN 2004), enshrine the Federal Character principle to ensure inclusivity, fairness, and balance in the distribution of federal appointments. These provisions were designed to prevent undue concentration of power in any state or sub-geopolitical zone, thereby promoting unity and national cohesion.
For purposes of federal appointments, the South-West geopolitical zone is further divided into three sub-geopolitical pairings:
• Oyo/Osun
• Lagos/Ogun
• Ekiti/Ondo
This structure was deliberately created to guarantee equity and fair representation among the component states in Southwest.
Your Excellency would recall that in October, 2023, you appointed Prof. Tunji Olaopa from Oyo State as the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission. He is from Oyo/Osun sub-geopolitical pairing. Yet on August 12, 2025, Your Excellency announced the appointment of Hon. Ayo Omidiran from Osun State as the Chairman-designate of the Federal Character Commission, again, from the Oyo/Osun sub-geopolitical pairing.
By concentrating these two strategic constitutional chairmanships in one sub-geopolitical (Oyo/Osun) paring in Southwest, the arrangement leaves Lagos/Ogun and Ekiti/Ondo sub-geopolitical pairings entirely unrepresented at the leadership level of federal executive bodies.
This imbalance, if not corrected, may foster feelings of exclusion and marginalization within the South-West zone and weaken public confidence in the equity and fairness that Your Excellency’s Renewed Hope Agenda has consistently championed.
We therefore most respectfully appeal to Your Excellency to kindly review the recent appointment of the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (being the latter appointment which is yet to be confirmed ) in order to restore balance, ensure compliance with the Federal Character principle, and uphold the constitutional provision of fairness and inclusivity in federal governance.
Your Excellency’s leadership has rekindled hope across the nation, and a prompt correction in this regard will further demonstrate your unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and national unity.
Please accept Mr. President Sir, the assurances of our highest consideration and esteemed regards.
Yours faithfully,
E-signed,
1. Debo Adeniran – President, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR)
2. Nelson Ekujumi – Executive Director, Centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiative (CRGI)
3. Tola Oresanwo – Director of programmes, Centre for Anti Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL)
4. Gbenga Soloki – President, Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV)
5. Shina Loremikan – National Coordinator, Campaign Against Impunity in Nigeria
6. Michael Popoola Ajayi – National Coordinator, The Covenant Group
7. Raheem Ajayi – President, Political Renaissance Forum
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