FCC Urges LG Chairmen To Deepen National Unity Through Fair Representation

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has charged Local Government (LG) Chairmen across Nigeria to promote fairness, inclusion and equitable representation in governance as a means of strengthening national unity from the grassroots.

Executive Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, gave the charge on Monday at the FCC workshop for Local Government Chairmen on the principle of Federal Character, held on the theme, “Deepening National Unity through Grassroots Implementation of the Federal Character Principle.”

Omidiran said the workshop was timely, stressing that national unity could not be achieved through declarations alone but required deliberate policies and actions that would give every citizen a genuine sense of belonging.

She described Nigeria’s ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity as a strength rather than an obstacle to nation-building, provided it was managed with equity, justice and sincerity of purpose.

According to her, the Federal Character Principle was established to safeguard balanced representation, fairness and inclusiveness in public institutions and governance processes.

She identified the Local Government system as the bedrock of governance and the closest level of government to the people, noting that its effectiveness had a direct bearing on the delivery of democratic dividends to communities.

“Local Governments play a crucial role in promoting unity and managing diversity within communities. They are uniquely positioned to foster peaceful coexistence among people of different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds,” she said.

The FCC chairman urged Local Government Chairmen to ensure equitable distribution of opportunities, fair representation, inclusive leadership and meaningful community engagement in their respective areas.

She said their leadership must reflect fairness, transparency, tolerance and justice, adding that every citizen, irrespective of tribe, religion or social background, should feel recognised and included in the governance structure of their community.

Omidiran also acknowledged the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards strengthening Local Government autonomy, describing the initiative as a significant step towards deepening democracy and accelerating grassroots development.

She said greater Local Government autonomy would enhance service delivery, accountability and community-level development, while empowering councils to respond more effectively to the immediate needs of their people.

The FCC chairman said the workshop was designed to provide a platform for dialogue and renewed commitment to the effective implementation of the Federal Character Principle at the grassroots.

She expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce practical and sustainable strategies for strengthening inclusive governance, national integration and social cohesion across Nigeria’s Local Government Areas.

Omidiran urged participants to put national interest above personal and sectional considerations, stressing that the future of Nigeria depended on the collective willingness of its leaders to promote justice over prejudice and unity over division.

She called on the council chairmen to build communities where diversity would become a source of strength and fairness a culture, while ensuring that citizens felt valued and adequately represented.

“Let us work together to build communities where diversity becomes a source of strength, where fairness becomes a culture, and where every citizen feels valued and represented,” she said.

She welcomed participants to the workshop on behalf of the FCC’s commissioners, management and staff and wished them fruitful deliberations.