Senate Cautions Buhari On Federal Character Principle

The Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that in addition to merit, the federal character principle is not undermined in the consideration of citizens for appointment into public offices.

The committee’s chairman, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti) stated this on Monday during a confirmation hearing of Hon. Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi, for appointment as the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He noted that it was not only morally and politically correct to ensure compliance with federal character principle, but also a fundamental obligation imposed on government and all its functionaries as contained in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The lawmaker therefore urged all individuals and bodies saddled with the responsibility of making appointment recommendations to the president to ensure compliance with both the eligibility criteria and federal character principle.

This, he said, was to avoid unnecessarily heating up the polity and eroding the unity and strength of the country.