Tensions are rising within the National Assembly bureaucracy as the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has formally challenged the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) over what it describes as a persistent breach of the federal character principle.
In a strongly worded protest letter made available to journalists on Sunday, the union warned that continued disregard for constitutional equity in the appointment of secretaries could trigger widespread industrial unrest.
The petition, signed by PASAN Chairman Sabiyyi Sunday and dated December 22, asserts that recent staffing decisions have favored certain states at the expense of others within the same geopolitical zones, violating the spirit of national unity.
The union lead argued that the current trajectory of appointments ignores the legal frameworks meant to ensure every part of the federation is represented in the senior cadre of the civil service.
“We note with concern instances where a state already represented in the secretary cadre is appointed to fill a vacancy, while other states in the same zone are denied the opportunity,” the chairman noted in the letter.
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He further emphasized the legal weight of the complaint, stating, “This practice is contrary to the Federal Character principle and undermines the spirit of equitable representation. We urge the Commission to ensure strict adherence to the law and avoid perpetuating imbalance in appointments.”
To bolster its argument for integrity in public service, PASAN pointed to President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to reverse the controversial promotion of his Aide-de-Camp as a gold standard for administrative fairness that the Commission should emulate.
“We commend the President’s decision to reverse the promotion of his Aide-De-Camp, showcasing his commitment to fairness and integrity,” Sunday wrote. “This exemplary leadership demonstrates that no one is above the rules and promotes a culture of accountability and transparency. We urge the Commission to follow this precedent, ensuring fairness in decisions and upholding the principles of good governance.”
The association reminded the Commission that its demands are rooted in the fundamental laws of the land, specifically citing Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution and the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024.
“We humbly draw attention to the provisions of section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, further detailed in the Federal Character Commission Act, Cap F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2024, which mandates equitable representation across Nigeria’s federating units in public appointments,” the letter stated.
PASAN warned that if these imbalances are not corrected, the resulting perception of bias could destabilize the workplace.
“Respecting this principle in appointments is crucial to maintaining fairness and avoiding perceptions of bias. We urge the Commission to ensure compliance to prevent potential industrial unrest,” the union cautioned.
The letter concluded with a call for immediate corrective measures to restore harmony within the National Assembly’s administrative structure: “We trust that you will take immediate action, and appreciate your attention to this matter.”
