The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has raised objections to the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Kwarra’s call for President Bola Tinubu to set new dates for the 2023 national population and housing census, which was suspended during the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The forum expressed concerns that proceeding with the census while the country is facing internal conflicts would be unwise. They highlighted the ongoing war against elements that are causing divisions within the country and stated that conducting the census in the midst of these challenges could lead to the exclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs), particularly in the Middle Belt region.
In a statement, MBF National President Pogu Bitrus emphasized that the successful execution of the census requires a guarantee of overall security and the protection of lives. They argued that conducting a population and housing census while territories are being overrun and occupied by foreign terrorists, with millions of citizens displaced by criminal activities, is not conducive to accurate data collection.
Bitrus specifically mentioned the attacks on communities in the Middle Belt region where innocent citizens have lost their lives and highlighted the plight of those who have been traumatized and turned into refugees within their own country. The MBF also drew attention to the illegal renaming of communities by foreign occupiers in states like Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Kaduna.
The Middle Belt Forum called for the resolution of the security challenges and the restoration of peace before proceeding with the national population and housing census, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of the people should be a top priority.