By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja.
An Abuja based legal practitioner, Maxwell Opara has dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged lopsided appointments in the public sector.
The aggrieved lawyer is challenging the legality of the appointments of Chief Executive Officers and Board Chairpersons in the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Health without appointing anyone from the South East political zone.
In the originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/218/2024, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Opara joined the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Federal Character Commission (FCC) as defendants in the suit.
The specific grouse of the plaintiff is the alleged failure of the President to adhere to the federal character principle in the recent appointments made on February 15th, 2024.
Citing Sections 4 and 5 of the Federal Character Commission Act and the commission’s guideline for distribution of posts, Opara is contending that the appointments made by the President clearly violated the requirements for equitable representation of states and geopolitical zones.
According to him, detailed analysis of the appointments showed a predominance of persons from the northern zones contrary to the provisions of the law and regulations.
The plaintiff is therefore asking the court to nullify the appointments and order fresh ones that will reflect fairness and comply fully with the principle of the Federal Character Act.
He is also praying the court to compel the President to obey and respect the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of the Federal Character Act.
Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.