TO : The President of the Senate/The Speaker of the House of Representatives
DATE : January 12, 2026
SUBJECT: PETITION AGAINST THE SYSTEMIC VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL CHARACTER ACT AND THE ETHNIC CONCENTRATION OF STATE POWER IN NIGERIA.
1. INTRODUCTION
Pursuant to Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Federal Character Commission (Establishment) Act. We raise this alarm to prevent the total collapse of regional balance and democratic neutrality in our federation.
2. THE GRIEVANCE: “ETHNIC CAPTURE” OF KEY INSTITUTIONS.
We observe with grave concern an unprecedented concentration of executive, legal, and economic power within a single ethnic bloc (South-West/Yoruba), creating a “closed-loop” system that undermines the spirit of national unity.
Specifically :
A. Legal & Prosecutorial Imbalance.
The simultaneous heading of the Ministry of Justice (AGF), the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Federal Character Commission (FCC) by individuals of the same ethnic extraction.
B. Security & Intelligence Concentration.
The control of the EFCC, DSSS, and the Inspector General of Police by the same ethnic bloc. This removes the “checks and balances” necessary to ensure that law enforcement is not weaponized against political rivals from other regions.
C. Economic Monopoly.
The leadership of the Central Bank (CBN), Ministry of Finance, and FIRS (Revenue) by a singular regional team, marginalizing the diverse economic interests of the North, South-East, and South-South
3. EXEMPLARY IMPLICATIONS & DEMOCRATIC DANGER.
History warns that when the “Machinery of Justice” (Police, Intelligence, and Prosecutors) is ethnically monolithic, the following risks become inevitable:
A. Selective Prosecution (Lawfare)
As seen in the recent surge of investigations targeting only opposition leaders from the North and South-East, while ignoring similar allegations within the ruling circle.
B. Institutional Distrust.
Similar imbalances in countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Kenya historically led to civil unrest when marginalized groups realized they could no longer find a “neutral referee” in state institutions.
C. National Fragmentation.
The current “insensitivity” to these cries for fairness is radicalizing citizens and pushing them toward regional extremism.
4. OUR PRAYERS (THE RELIEF SOUGHT)
We, the petitioners, pray the National Assembly to:
A. Mandate a Federal Character Audit.
Conduct an immediate public hearing on the regional distribution of “Grade A” appointments made between 2023 and 2026.
B. Enforce the “Chairman-Secretary” Split.
Ensure that in all commissions, especially the FCC and EFCC, the two top leadership roles are split strictly between the North and South as per statutory tradition.
C. Decentralize the Prosecution Power.
Demand the appointment of a more regionally diverse team within the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to restore confidence in the neutrality of the justice system.
D. Issue a Formal Caution.
Formally advise the Executive to uphold the “Spirit of the Law” by ensuring that the heads of the DSSS, EFCC, and Police are not drawn from the same region.
5. CLOSING
We urge the hallowed chamber to act before the anger of the citizens reaches a breaking point. A democracy that excludes is a democracy in decay.
SIGNED :
Comrade, IG Wala/NICIP
CC:
1. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
2. The African Union Commission (AU)
3. The Commonwealth Secretariat
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
