Senator Neda Imasuen has sponsored a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) Act to reposition the Commission as an independent National Ombudsman Institution with enhanced powers to promote accountability, transparency and administrative justice in Nigeria.
Leading the debate on the bill during plenary in the Senate, Imasuen said the proposed legislation seeks to modernise and strengthen the legal and institutional framework governing the Public Complaints Commission in line with Section 315(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), contemporary governance realities and internationally recognised ombudsman principles.
According to the lawmaker, the Public Complaints Commission was established to provide citizens with an accessible mechanism for seeking redress against administrative injustice, abuse of office and arbitrary actions by public authorities. However, he noted that significant changes in governance, technology and public expectations have exposed the limitations of the existing law.
He explained that the bill seeks to strengthen the Commission’s independence and operational autonomy, enabling it to receive, investigate, mediate and resolve complaints arising from maladministration, abuse of power, unfair treatment and other administrative actions or omissions by public authorities, public officers and corporate bodies whose activities affect the rights and welfare of citizens.
Imasuen said the proposed legislation would also expand the Commission’s investigative powers, allowing it to conduct effective inquiries, obtain relevant information and documents, make recommendations and promote compliance with the principles of fairness, accountability, transparency and good governance across public institutions.
One of the major innovations contained in the bill, according to the senator, is the establishment of a comprehensive Public Interest Disclosure and Whistle-blower Protection Framework designed to encourage individuals to report corruption, abuse of office, maladministration and other improper conduct in both public and private institutions without fear of intimidation, victimisation or retaliation.
He stressed that protecting whistle-blowers is globally recognised as an essential tool for promoting integrity, transparency and accountability in governance.
The senator said the bill would strengthen administrative justice by providing Nigerians with a more effective and accessible avenue for seeking redress against unfair administrative actions, reducing bureaucratic arbitrariness, enhancing public sector accountability and rebuilding public confidence in government institutions.
He added that the proposed legislation would align Nigeria’s ombudsman system with international best practices, where independent ombudsman institutions play a vital role in protecting citizens’ rights, promoting good governance and improving public service delivery.
Describing the bill as a strategic institutional reform, Imasuen said it would deepen democratic governance, strengthen the rule of law, enhance transparency and entrench a culture of accountability in public administration.
He urged his colleagues to support the bill and allow it to pass second reading to enable further legislative scrutiny and stakeholder consultation in the public interest.
