By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bori branch in Rivers State, has decried the lopsided appointment into the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), saying that it runs contrary to the federal character principle as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Consequently, the Bar Association drew the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the defect and asked him to intervene in the alleged violation of federal character principle.
The branch Chairman, Ledum Finor- Puene, in a letter to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, pointed out that there was a gross violation of the federal character principle as enshrined in Section 14 (3) of the Nigeria’s constitution as amended.
He said that four members of the governing board of the NCC were from the same state.
“This letter is premised on the fact that in consideration of the federal character principle, four members of the governing board of the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC, are from the same state of origin (Edo State) namely; Mrs Towo Autin-Odigie, Comrade Salisu, Othman, Mr John Asein and Rev Bayo Awala.
“This act is selfish, unpatriotic and offends the provision of our constitution. It was for this purpose, avoiding this mischief that the Federal Character principle was enshrined in Section 14 (3) (Supra).”
Puene, therefore, urged Buhari to use his good offices and powers of appointment conferred on him to redress, investigate and correct the appointment.
