Kingsley Demands Merit Based Appointments Across Nigeria

(PRP presidential aspirant, Yakubu Kingsley. Photo Credit: Punch News)

A presidential hopeful and Peoples Redemption Party member, Yakubu Kingsley, has said public appointments should be based on competence, integrity and accountability rather than ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or personal loyalty.

Kingsley said appointments should also ensure fair representation of different regions, communities, genders and generations in government.

The principle should combine merit with equitable representation, integrity and accountability.

He said competence must remain important in public appointments, but no region, state, community, gender or generation should be left out of national participation.

The Federal Character principle should be applied transparently and measurably in how government operates, not just mentioned during political arguments.

He proposed a framework for appointments that would let Nigerians see the geographical, professional and other dimensions of representation in government.

This would help reduce political arguments and accusations about who gets appointed.

Kingsley said inclusion should go beyond just government appointments to include policymaking and consultations with different sections of society.

Political parties, professional bodies, religious organisations, traditional institutions, civil society groups, academia, labour, the private sector, women and youth groups, people with disabilities, Nigerians abroad and community groups should all be consulted.

Governance should not be confined to Abuja or just politicians.

Government must listen to the people it serves who face the consequences of its decisions.

While government must remain neutral especially on religion and politics, it must have structured ways to consult these groups and draw from their knowledge and reach.

Kingsley said the principle of inclusion should also apply to communities where Nigeria's natural resources like petroleum, gas and solid minerals are extracted.

These communities should have a greater stake in development from those resources.

He said Nigeria belongs to everyone and the government must reflect that reality.

The country has remarkable diversity and legitimate interests must have voices so Nigerians can fairly contribute to developing the nation.