House Committee Suspends NRS Recruitment, Condemns Disregard for Parliamentary Oversight

House Committee Suspends NRS Recruitment, Condemns Disregard for Parliamentary Oversight

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character has ordered the immediate suspension of ongoing recruitment activities by the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), citing what it described as persistent disregard for the constitutional oversight authority of the National Assembly by some federal agencies.

The committee, chaired by Ahmed Idris Wase, issued the directive following an engagement with the Federal Character Commission (FCC), during which the Chairman of the Commission failed to appear before lawmakers.

According to the committee, the FCC Chairman cited official travel and later illness as reasons for his absence. However, lawmakers expressed concern that the latest absence followed a series of invitations and official communications that had not been honoured, describing the repeated failure to appear as unacceptable and inconsistent with the standards of accountability expected of public office holders.

The committee also raised concerns over waivers allegedly granted by the Federal Character Commission to the Nigeria Revenue Service. Lawmakers recalled that the FCC had earlier been directed not to grant any approvals or waivers to the NRS due to the continued refusal of its Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to honour invitations from the committee.

Despite the directive, the committee said it discovered that waivers were still issued to the agency, a development it described as a direct affront to the constitutional oversight responsibilities of the House of Representatives.

Consequently, the committee directed the Federal Character Commission, led by Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, to immediately halt all recruitment exercises being conducted by the Nigeria Revenue Service until its leadership appears before the committee to provide explanations and comply with the oversight process.

Speaking on the matter, Rt. Hon. Wase stressed that legislative oversight is a constitutional responsibility and not a matter of convenience for heads of government agencies.

“The National Assembly is the voice of the Nigerian people. Its constitutional oversight powers are not symbolic; they are binding instruments of accountability. No agency, commission, or public official is above the Constitution or beyond the reach of parliamentary oversight,” he stated.

In a statement  signed by Media Aide to Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Faruk Tahir, the committee warned that persistent refusal by public officials to honour invitations from the House of Representatives could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken the constitutional system of checks and balances.

It reaffirmed its determination to deploy all constitutional and legislative mechanisms available to ensure compliance with lawful directives and preserve the integrity of parliamentary oversight.