Staff of the National Assembly have staged a formal protest over what they describe as persistent violations of the federal character principle in the appointment of secretaries, cautioning that continued disregard for constitutional provisions could spark industrial action.
The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), National Assembly chapter, made its position known in a letter of protest to the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, which was released to journalists in Abuja on Sunday. The letter was signed by the chapter chairman, Sabiyyi Sunday, and dated December 22.
In the communication, the union referenced Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024, both of which stipulate that public service appointments must reflect equitable representation of the country’s federating units.
PASAN alleged that states already occupying slots in the secretary cadre are repeatedly selected when vacancies occur, while other states within the same geopolitical zones are routinely overlooked.
The association described the practice as a clear breach of the federal character principle, warning that it erodes trust in the system and promotes imbalance in the bureaucracy.
According to the union, such actions undermine the spirit of fairness and inclusiveness that the Constitution seeks to uphold, and could deepen perceptions of bias if not urgently corrected.
The workers also cited a recent development at the Presidency as an example of respect for due process, commending President Bola Tinubu for reversing the controversial promotion of his Aide-de-Camp after public backlash.
They said the President’s action demonstrated that no official is above the law and urged the National Assembly Service Commission to emulate that standard in handling appointments.
The association warned that failure to comply with constitutional and statutory provisions on federal character in staffing decisions would likely destabilise industrial harmony within the National Assembly.
It called on the commission to take immediate steps to correct the alleged imbalances, stressing that adherence to the law is crucial to sustaining fairness and preventing possible labour unrest among parliamentary workers.
