The House of Representatives’ ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal recruitment exercise by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has received the backing of a civil society organisation, the Centre for Democratic Governance and Parliamentary Advocacy (CDGPA), which described the exercise as a serious breach of transparency and constitutional accountability.

The group also urged the House Committee on Federal Character not to relent in its oversight of the agency, insisting that no federal institution should conduct recruitment in a manner that raises concerns over compliance with the Federal Character principle.

The House Committee on Federal Character, chaired by former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Idris Wase, had last Wednesday ordered the suspension of the recruitment exercise after expressing concern over the agency’s alleged failure to comply with constitutional provisions on equitable representation.

The committee also questioned the reported waiver granted by the Federal Character Commission to the Service to proceed with the exercise.

The committee’s intervention came amid a standoff with the leadership of the Service following the reported failure of its Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, to honour several invitations issued in the course of the committee’s constitutional oversight functions.

The controversy has also been heightened by a pending suit before the Abuja High Court filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Patriotic Youth Organisations of Nigeria, challenging the appointment of six Executive Directors of the agency over alleged violations of the Federal Character principle.

Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Governance and Parliamentary Advocacy, Comrade Ibrahim Yusuf, said the alleged secret recruitment exercise and the continued refusal of the agency’s leadership to appear before the House committee constituted a dangerous precedent capable of undermining constitutional democracy.

He maintained that every federal institution remains accountable to the Nigerian people through the National Assembly, stressing that legislative oversight is one of the strongest safeguards against abuse of public office.

“It is disturbing that while serious concerns have been raised regarding recruitment and appointments within the Service, its leadership has reportedly failed to honour repeated invitations by the House Committee on Federal Character.

“Such conduct diminishes transparency and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions,” Yusuf said.

According to him, Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) clearly empower the National Assembly to investigate the activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies and compel the attendance of public officers where necessary for the effective discharge of its oversight responsibilities.

The organisation urged the House of Representatives to sustain its investigation, insisting that every public institution must remain accountable to Parliament and operate within the confines of the Constitution.

The CDGPA also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly defend the authority of the National Assembly, warning that continued disregard for parliamentary invitations by agencies under the Executive could erode one of the country’s most important democratic institutions.

The group argued that it would be unfortunate if an administration led by political leaders with extensive legislative backgrounds allowed Parliament to be treated with contempt.
“The President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and several senior officials of this administration have all benefited immensely from the institution of Parliament.

“The National Assembly played a defining role in shaping their political careers and remains the foremost symbol of representative democracy.
“The institution must not be allowed to suffer erosion under their watch. Respect for Parliament should be non-negotiable for every public office holder,” the statement added.

The organisation further alleged that the conduct of the NRS leadership reflected a growing trend in which some government agencies fail to accord due respect to committees of the National Assembly.

It therefore urged the President to direct heads of agencies to comply with lawful invitations from Parliament, stressing that constitutional governance cannot thrive where public institutions choose which arms of government to respect.

The group also called on the House of Representatives to invoke all constitutional measures available to compel compliance with its summons where public officials repeatedly fail to honour invitations without lawful justification.

It maintained that strict adherence to the Federal Character principle in recruitment and appointments remains essential to promoting national inclusion, equity and public confidence in federal institutions, urging Nigerians to support the House in its efforts to deepen accountability and transparency in public service.