In its effort at conducting a credible census in the country, the Nigerian government has questioned the statement credited to the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu.
The NPC chairman, who is a former managing director of the Nigerian Breweries, had at a press briefing early this month cast aspersions on the figures of the last headcount, which was conducted in Nigeria in 2006. He had also said that no credible election had taken place in the country since the commencement of censuses in 1816.
In the 2006 headcount, Kano State was declared the most populous state in the country.
According to him, “Nigeria has run on falsehood for too long. We must stop this falsehood and put a stop to all of this. Because the 2006 census was not correct, the former board of NPC was unable to publish the figures. If they try it, there will be uproar.”
However, his comments had engendered brickbats from Nigerians especially politicians from the northern part of the country such as the Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who had described Odimegwu’s appointment by the government as a mistake.
Kwankwaso had said that the NPC chairman, whose credentials throughout his career could be likened to alcohol possession, was not qualified to head such a sensitive post and called for his sack.
SaharaReporters learnt that Nigeria’s Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, on Tuesday issued a query to Odimegwu to explain what he meant by his tirade about the 2006 census.
It was gathered that Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan had been under intense pressure from politicians from the northern part of the country over Odimegwu’s comment, and ordered the query to be issued to him.
SaharaReporters learnt that Odimegwu was invited to Anyim’s office Tuesday to receive the query.
Sources at the Presidency debunked rumours doing the rounds that the NPC chairman had been suspended, but confirmed that a query might have been issued to the NPC boss.
He said: “How could he be suspended for making a statement. That is not sensible. It is true that the man has been issued a query to explain his comments concerning the 2006 census. That is as far as the issue is.
“Ordinarily nothing would have happened about his comments, but with his position, he has to be conscious of what he says, being a public figure.”
Calls put through to Odimegwu’s cell phone to confirm the story were not answered.
Census figures have always been contentious in Nigeria, as sections of the country always feel cheated and complain of not been adequately allocated its right figure.
Also, the number of local governments and population determine the revenue from the federal allocation.
