Senate Commends ICPC for Compliance with Federal Character Principles
The Nigerian Senate has hailed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for its exemplary commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and national representation in the composition and distribution of its workforce.
The commendation came during a session on Wednesday at the National Assembly, as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, reviewed the Commission’s staff profile and deployment statistics presented by ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, and his management team.
In a strongly worded statement, Senator Onyesoh praised the Commission for its transparency, describing the ICPC’s approach as a model for other government institutions.
He noted that the data presented reflected an intentional and balanced representation of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and regional identities in line with the Federal Character Commission’s guidelines.
“ICPC has shown that due process is not only possible but also achievable,” Onyesoh declared. “What you have presented today gives us hope that we still have institutions and individuals committed to building a better Nigeria. You have honoured this institution by being open and transparent about how you conduct appointments and elevate officers to high positions.”
The Senator expressed concern over the reluctance of many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to appear before the Committee often due to their non-compliance with federal character laws. He warned that such avoidance undermines national cohesion and equitable governance.
“Unlike many MDAs who dodge oversight due to a lack of transparency, the ICPC has displayed integrity and professionalism. This is the kind of institutional behaviour we want to see replicated across the board,” Onyesoh stated.
In response, Dr. Musa Aliyu reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to merit-based, yet inclusive recruitment and deployment practices. He emphasized the Commission’s awareness of its constitutional obligations and its resolve to serve as a standard-bearer in public service ethics.
The Senate’s commendation is expected to spark wider scrutiny of other agencies’ compliance with the Federal Character principle, a constitutional requirement aimed at promoting national integration and preventing dominance by any one group in public service.
