The agitations by various groups and individuals asking President Muhammadu Buhari to obey the Federal Character provision in the nation’s constitution in the appointment of individuals into key government positions has acquired a higher pitch.

With the contention that Buhari’s appointments into key government agencies have been lopsided to favour a particular section of Nigeria, some prominent leaders from the South South, South West, South East and the Middle Belt regions of the country have sued the President for violating the Federal Character principle.

The leaders are claiming compensation to the tune of N50 billion over what they describe as the marginalization of the people of their regions in  appointments into security, quasi-security and strategic agencies of government.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/595/2020 was filed by 16 plaintiffs at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 8, 2020.

The plaintiffs include  Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clarke, Afenifere leader, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr John Nwodo, and a prominent leader of the Middle Belt, Dr. Pogu Bitrus.

The other plaintiffs are Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Alaowei Bozimo, Mrs Sarah Doketri, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Air Commodore Idongsit Nkanga, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Prof Julie Umukoro, Elder Stephen Bangoji, Alhaji Tijani Babatunde, Mrs Rose Obuoforibo, Mr Adakole Ijogi and Dr. Charles Nwakeaku.

The respondents are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori and the Federal Character Commission.

The suit was instituted on behalf of the defendants by 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria comprising Solomon Asemota, Mike Ozekhome, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa,Tijani Ayanlaja, Chuks Muoma, Albert Akpomudje, Tayo Oyetibo, Pius Akubo, Mrs Nella Andem-Rabana and Akinpelu Onigbinde. .