The presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP), Peter Obi, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to have given approval for the postponement of the 2023 census exercise.
Recall that President Buhari gave the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council; the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra; and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
“In arriving at the decision to postpone the Census, the meeting reiterated the critical need for the conduct of a Population and Housing Census, 17 years after the last Census, to collect up-to-date data that will drive the developmental goals of the country and improve the living standard of the Nigerian people,” Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had said in a statement made available to NPOReports on Saturday
Reacting, the former governor of Anambra state described the decision of federal government as a welcome development adding that national census is a critical development and nation-building tool.
“FGN’s decision to postpone the 2023 Population and Housing Census, scheduled for 3-7 May 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming Administration is a propitious and welcome development,” Obi tweeted on Saturday.
According to him, a national census
He argued that even though Nigeria is long overdue for a census, conducting one requires proper planning and diligence to ensure the sanctity of the results.
Obi also called for efficacy of the data gathered from the exercise and utility of the information in driving national development goals, living standards and growing national housing deficits.
“It is hoped that when eventually the census is conducted, it will serve as confidence-building measures instead of being fraught with the usual controversy,” he added.