Deborah Akinyosoye
Mr. Mohammed Bello Tukur, the Secretary to the Federal Character Commission (FCC), on Monday, officially resigned from his position after serving for seven years and nine months.
He was appointed in March 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari for a four-year tenure and was reappointed in 2021, extending his service until 2025.
According to information gathered from the commission in Abuja, Tukur, who hails from Taraba State in the North-East zone, was reappointed for a second tenure despite contrary to the principle of federal character as enshrined in its governing Act. This is because both Tukur and the Chairman of the Commission were from the same geopolitical zone, contrary to the principle of equitable representation.
The FCC principle mandates the equitable distribution of leadership roles among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to ensure inclusivity and fairness in federal appointments and employment.
Following Tukur’s resignation, Dr. Chuks Okoli, the FCC’s Director of Public Affairs and Communication, has been appointed Acting Secretary. His appointment, effective Monday, December 16, 2024, will remain in place until a substantive Secretary is named.
The Federal Character Commission, as mandated by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, continues to play a critical role as the custodian of federal character, ensuring that all federal agencies and parastatals comply with its provisions to promote fairness and equity across the nation.