Abubakar  Umar Berates Council of State over April 2023 Population Census Amidst Mounting Insecurities

,Firebrand military officer and Chairman, Movement for Unity and Progress Col Abubakar Dangiwa Umar has condemned the Council of State’s approval of the 2023 population census insisting that census shouldn’t be a priority amidst mounting security problems in Nigeria.

The Council of State on Thursday approved April 2023 for the conduct of a fresh nationwide census. The council directed that the exercise takes place immediately after the general elections in February.

“The decision of the FGN to seek approval of the  National Council of State to conduct National census in April 2023 must have come as a great shock to most well meaning Nigerians,” Umar said.

“A country that is facing existential challenges such as unprecedented level of insecurity, collapsing economy cannot have as one of its priorities the conduct of a National census.

“We therefore urge the Buhari administration to suspend what will amount to misadventure and waste of scarce national resources.

“This Administration should focus all its attention on securing the nation and conducting the 2023 elections.

“A National census at this point is certainly not a priority assuming that its conduct is possible.”