Dangiwa to FG: Don’t waste resources on census, tackle insecurity first

A former military governor of Kaduna State and chairman of the Movement for Unity and Progress, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (retd), has asked the federal government not to waste resources in conducting a national population census in 2023 as planned, saying it should rather focus on tackling the rising security challenges bedeviling the country.  

In a statement issued on Friday, Umar noted that the decision of the federal government to obtain the approval of the National Council of State to conduct a national census in April 2023 was shocking.  

TIMELINE: How bandits carried out 16 deadly attacks in two weeks

Herders ‘dehumanised’ by soldiers in Kaduna not bandits – Police, community leaders

He said, “A country that is facing existential challenges, such as the unprecedented level of insecurity and 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 country and conducting the 2023 elections. A national census at this point is certainly not a priority, assuming that its conduct is possible.”