House of Representatives is to set up an Ad-hoc committee to investigate appointments made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government from 2015-2023.
This is part of the resolutions adopted by the House in a motion by a member from Enugu State Prof. Paul Nnamchi, during plenary session.
The motion which was unanimously adopted by members of the House also requested the Federal Character Commission to forward the returns on appointments undertaken by the MDAs.
Prof. Nnamchi observed that the Standing Orders of the House provides that all MDAs shall forward to the Speaker all reports required by statute
within three months of the close of reporting period, and any violation of the same attracts sanctions as provided in the Legislative Houses.
He said though the Federal Character Commission Act was enacted to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all
bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government, the perception now is that
there exists alleged brazen domination of the bureaucratic, by a section of the country at the expense of others.
The lawmaker further observed that Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) empowered the National Assembly with the categorical powers to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it as our core oversight and supervisory duty.
According to him, the Federal Character Commission has virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory
responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest amongst its commissioners.
He added that it was within the legislative competence of the National Assembly especially its relevant Committee when constituted, to compel the Federal Character Commission to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
Adopting the motion, the House directed the federal character commission to submit the character balancing index of all MDAs during the period under review.
The House also mandated the relevant committee, when constituted to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
COV /TSIBIRI
