President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been asked to ensure fairness in the appointment of the Chairman, Federal Character Commission, (FCC).
The FCC currently has an Acting Chairman whose appointment as substantive Chairman is yet to be confirmed.
In a letter sent to Aso Rock at the weekend, the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movement (AYDM), a coalition of 130 pan Yoruba sociocultural and community-based organizations across the Southwest, Kogi, Kwara and Delta called on President Tinubu to ensure equity, justice, and fairness in the forthcoming appointment of the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
The movement called on the President to give due consideration to the Lagos-Ogun areas which area has never produced the Chairman of the FCC.
A letter dispatched to President Tinubu and signed by the General Secretary, Comrade Popoola Ajayi and 130 leaders of the coalition, urged the President to ensure the confirmation of the appointment of the current Acting Chairman, Hon Kayode Oladele.
The group said the delay in the confirmation already affects the smooth running of the Commission.
The AYDM described Oladele as an icon in the bitter struggle against military rule and someone whose passion for justice, fairness and integrity is well known.
The coalition said Oladele has been consistent as a progressive who suffered greatly under military rule, forced into exile, and has remained in the progressive fold since 1999 when the military was ousted.
AYDM said the appointment of Oladele will add value to the reputation of the government given his credibility and network within the human rights community across Nigeria.
“It is a matter of fact that within the Southwest geopolitical zone, the chairmanship of strategic Federal institutions has been concentrated in particular sub-axes:
- Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Commission Chairman: Hon. Segun Odebunmi (Oyo State) – Oyo/Osun axis
- Southwest Development Commission Chairman: Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti State) – Ondo/Ekiti axis
- Federal Civil Service Commission Chairman: Prof. Tunji Olaopa (Oyo State) – Oyo/Osun axis.
AYDM said it is evident that the Oyo/Osun axis and the Ondo/Ekiti axis already have strong representation at the Federal level, leaving out Ogun axis.
AYDM said to appoint another person from Osun State, again from the Oyo/Osun axis, as Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, would amount to marginalizing the Lagos/Ogun axis, thereby violating the principle of fairness entrenched in the Federal Character Commission Act.”
“The Lagos/Ogun corridor stands as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and a crucial driver of national development. Denying this axis equal opportunity for representation not only weakens confidence in the federal character principle but also risks creating discontent among millions who look up to the Renewed Hope Agenda for inclusivity and justice.”
“We, therefore, strongly appeal to Mr. President, a leader with a well-known commitment to fairness, equity, and justice, to appoint the next Chairman of the Federal Character Commission from the Lagos/Ogun axis. Doing so will balance representation within the Southwest, strengthen national unity, and reflect the spirit of the law.”
The AYDM and its over 100 affiliate organizations trust that President Tinubu will once again demonstrate his sense of fairness and inclusiveness by heeding this patriotic call.
