HOUSE OF REPS URGE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGAINST VIOLATION OF FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLES IN APPOINTMENT OF HEADS OF MDAs
House of Representatives has called on the federal government to address the constitutional infraction in the appointment of the Chairman and Secretary of the Federal Character Commission as well as Heads of other MDAs.
The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at plenary by Deputy Chairman House Committee on Communications, Rep. Unyime Idem.
Rep. Idem, while moving the motion, said in compliance with the resolution of the House dated February 25, 2020, the president, on April 28, 2020 appointed the Chairman and Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission.
He said the current secretary of the commission was appointed as a substantive secretary to the commission in March 2017, whose tenure was expected to end on April 7, 2021, but was re-appointed by the president on April 7, 2021 for a second term.
The lawmaker noted that the current Chairman of the Commission, Muheeba Dankaka is from the Northern part of the Country and the re-appointed Secretary Mohammed Bello is also from the Northern part of the Country, which is in flagrant violation of Section 14 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as Amended.
The member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency stressed that the Federal Character Commission is one of the agencies of the federal government with the responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic and political positions at all levels of government.
He pointed out that the Principle of Federal Character, as contained in the Act governing the commission, lay emphasis on leadership positions being equally distributed between zones.
The House called on the federal government to address the unfair, unjust and inequitable appointment of both the Chairperson and Secretary of the Federal Character Commission from a particular zone of the country.
It mandated the House Committee on Federal Character to ensure compliance.
Dr. Udo emerged the National Best Local Government Chairman in RURAL WATER SUPPLY and the award was conferred on him at a well-attained event held at the Merit House, Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, September 16, 2021.
Speaking at the event, the Uyo helmsman advocated for the review of the revenue sharing formula by the Federal Government to be in favour of the Local Government who he noted was involved in the execution of projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people at the grassroots.
According to him, the upward review of the revenue sharing formula will enable the Local Government administrators to provide the needed dividends of democracy to the people.
Speaking to journalists after the event, Dr. Udo praised HE Mr. Udom Emmanuel for the huge support to the local government councils in Akwa Ibom State, adding that the award would encourage him to do more for the people of Uyo in the remaining years of his administration as the Chairman.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Coordinator of LOGMA, Chief Bayode Ojo, said the awards are packaged to reward excellence in grassroots governance.
Three out of the 28 most performing local government chairmen in Nigeria were from Akwa Ibom State. The other two awardees were the Chairman of Ikono Local Government Area, Hon. Nyakno Okoibu and the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Area, Dr. Sylvester Attah.
Recall that Dr. Udo had within his first 100 Days in office changed the narrative in local government administration with the construction of a 24-room with 3 open registries, 9 conveniences, 6 exit points with proper landscaping office accommodation as the new Administrative Block for staff of Uyo Local Government Council, christened “UDOM EMMANUEL ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK”.
Also within the period, Dr. Udo ensured the procurement and installation of a 300KVA Transformer, grading of rural roads, provision of water supply at Uyo shopping complex, and Health center at Wellington Bassey Way.
Other achievements of the chairman included; provision of communication gadgets for the mobilisation unit of the Primary Health Center, installation of renewable energy sources within the council secretariat, renovation of the council multi-purpose hall, building of platform at Akpan Andem market, as well as a review of some development Bye-laws in Uyo Local Government Area.
The delegation from Uyo Local Government that accompanied the Executive Chairman for the awards ceremony in Abuja comprised the wife of the Chairman, Mrs. Akaninyene Uwemedimo; Vice Chairman, Pst. Sylvia Ekong; Secretary of Council, Mr. Ubong Udofia; the Leader of Uyo Legislative Council, Hon. Ubong Effiong; the Dean of Supervisors, Mr. Linus Effiong; PDP representative, Uyo Chapter, Hon. Victor Raphael, and the SA, Media to the Executive Chairman, Mrs. Itoro-Etas Iniobong. 
While fielding questions from Government House reporters, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel speaking on behalf of the Committee, expressed delight at the inauguration of the Committee, saying this would further help in the fight against the scourge.
“We are going out en-masse to fight this crime to an end. This is another milestone in this course and with the enabling law, we will achieve much success collectively,” First Lady Martha quipped.
Other members of the 14-member committee are Dr. Ini Adiakpan (Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare), Mrs. Eno Jerome ( Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare), Barr ( Mrs) Mfon Edemekong (Ministry of Justice ), and Mrs. Idongesit Udo ( Ministry Health).
Also making the Committee are: Mrs. Emem George ( Office of the Accountant General), Mrs. Kokomma Sabbath ( Ministry of Education ), Mrs. Blessing Udofa ( Multilateral and Donor Agencies), Supol Nseobong Umoh ( Police Gender Desk Officer), Dr. Nsekpong Udoh ( CSO ), Mrs. Ime Ephraim Inyang ( CSO), Obonganwan Patricia Essienobot ( CSO ) and Mr. James Edet ( Ministry of Information). 
