Akure based lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Titiloye Charles has criticized President Jonathan over the caliber of person who were honored in the 2014 National awards.

In a statement issued in Akure, Titiloye alleged that President Jonathan violated the constitution and the Federal Character Commission Acts by not spreading the award to all deserving Nigerians to depict the federal character of Nigeria as guaranteed in our constitution.

The lawyer opined that most of the recipients were loyalist of the President and from the ruling PDP. “It was like a send-forth gift after six years of Jonathan Presidency”.

For example; in Ondo state, four recipients came from Ondo town where Governor Olusegun Mimiko hails from. Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, apart from recommending himself for the awards, he also recommended the Monarch of his town, Oba Dr Adesimbo Kiladejo and another Ondo Chief, Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe for the National awards.

Omotola Jelade, a popular Actress also from Ondo town made the list.

“This is a clear violation of Federal Character, for Ondo town to produce four recipients of national awards at the expense of the three Senatorial districts that make up Ondo state.

Preferential treatment by the President for National awardees from Ondo state to come from the hometown of Governor Olusegun Mimiko is a clear proof of violation of principle of federal Character by President Jonathan,” Titiloye added.