The Federal Government faces growing criticism after opposition parties alleged that N234 billion allocated for the aborted 2023 national census was diverted for election campaigns. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The National Population Commission (NPC), under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had proposed a budget of N800 billion for the Population and Housing Census initially scheduled for May 2023. By that time, N224 billion had already been disbursed, in addition to a N10 billion approval in October 2020 for enumeration demarcation across 546 local government areas.
The exercise was postponed to allow the incoming administration to provide input. However, nearly 17 months into President Bola Tinubu’s tenure, no new date has been announced, raising concerns about the census’s fate and implications for governance, economic planning, and resource allocation.
Opposition’s Allegations
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, accused the government of using the funds for election purposes rather than for the census. “It was obvious from the beginning that the census funds released by the Buhari administration were used to influence the 2023 elections,” Ifoh alleged while speaking to Sunday PUNCH.
He further criticized Nigeria’s irregular census history, stating, “In saner climes, censuses are conducted every five years, but here, it takes 10 or 20 years. Each time money is allocated for a census, it either disappears or is swallowed by snakes, yet no census takes place.”
Ifoh questioned the whereabouts of the funds. “If the money wasn’t used, it should have been returned to the Central Bank. Security agencies must demand answers. What happened to the money? Was it appropriated, or is it sitting in someone’s house?”
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APC Responds to Allegations
The APC dismissed the accusations, emphasizing its commitment to conducting the census. Deputy National Organizing Secretary Nze Duru assured Nigerians that the census program is on course. “The census is a national assignment, and it will happen under the APC administration. Efforts are ongoing to ensure it takes place soon,” Duru said.
He underscored the importance of the census for governance, stating, “We need a population census to accurately determine the number of Nigerians and where they reside. It is critical for budgeting, data, and providing for the people of this country.”
Duru also criticized the politicization of the census, calling it unnecessary. “We cannot afford to play politics with critical data needed for the development of Nigeria. The population census is essential for the delivery of democracy’s dividends,” he added.
Concerns Over Delayed Census
The delay in announcing a new date for the census has sparked concerns about its impact on economic and social planning. Accurate population data is crucial for resource allocation, governance, and development projects.
Opposition parties have demanded accountability for the funds already released, urging the government to prioritize transparency and expedite the census process.
As the debate continues, Nigerians await clarity on when the much-anticipated census will take place and whether the government can address the allegations surrounding the funds.