Federal Character Principle Enforcement Must Rest On Rule Of Law – Omidiran

Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hulayat Omidiran, has said the enforcement of the federal character principle must be firmly anchored on law.

She warned that authority exercised without legal foundation risks arbitrariness and erodes public confidence in governance.

Omidiran made the statement at a two-day induction and sensitisation workshop for members of the commission’s 5th board, held after their inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 22nd January 2026.

She described the workshop as a critical step in aligning the board’s vision with its statutory responsibilities.

According to her, the commission operates within a clearly defined legal framework that empowers it to monitor compliance, investigate infractions, and apply sanctions where necessary.

She stressed that all FCC’s actions must be lawful, transparent, fair and defensible, in line with the rule of law.

She noted that the federal character principle is not a political slogan but a stabilising framework designed to promote fairness, inclusiveness and balance in Nigeria’s diverse governance structure. When properly implemented, she said, it strengthens national unity and deepens citizens’ sense of belonging.