The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has voiced his opposition to appointments based on ethnicity, which, according to him, encourages mediocrity, News About Nigeria reports.
Abaribe made these comments during the 41st Annual Olumide Memorial Lecture, organized by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors in Abuja. The theme of the event was ‘Why not Merit?’
He expressed his concern about the rise of incompetence in various sectors of society due to appointments being made on the basis of ethnicity rather than merit.
According to the Senator, Nigeria cannot achieve significant economic growth and development with the current policy of appointing individuals based on their ethnic identities rather than their merit.
He also pointed out that some public officeholders have consistently used the federal character principle to further their own selfish ambitions through disproportionate assessment models that disregard merit.
Abaribe further emphasized that the concept of federal character, which was originally designed to promote equity, has been corrupted in the country. It now means that regardless of a person’s incompetence, they can be appointed to a role solely because of their regional background.
“As it stands now, the federal character principle often promotes incompetence over merit, using geographical and tribal considerations as a benchmark. If the federal character initiative intends to bring every part of the country together, it should not be tainted by disproportionate assessment methods that overlook merit,” Abaribe stated.
The Senator also noted that when equal opportunities and fairness are ensured, all sections of the country will have relatively equal chances in the opportunities available. This way, unqualified individuals will not secure positions solely based on their regional origins but because of their merit.
