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Census: Commonwealth Nations Monitoring Group Tasks Governors on Nigeria’s National Population Census advocacy
…Commends Nigeria’s Preparation for National Census…
Charges Regional govts/Stakeholders to support NPC on Advocacy
The Commonwealth Joint Commitee on Population Census Monitoring in West Africa (CJCPCMWA) , a regional think tank accredited by the Commonwealth of Nations has commended the Nigerian government for it’s commitment to the implementation of updated protocols on the conduct of national census exercise as recommended by the United Nations. The group in a press release issued to media on Friday in Abuja and signed by Nigeria’s country rep, Barr Sam Ode Oduma, the group while acknowledging the commitment of president Tinubu led administration to actualize a credible Census observed that state governors have not accorded the exercise the priority it deserves particularly in terms of creating the needed sensitisation and awareness.
The executive director emphasized that a successful national census exercise remains the only guaranteed source of credible data for planning and development by government at all levels hence the need to support it’s actualization. “The duty to conduct a national Population Census exercise may fall on the federal government in terms of constitutional provisions but the ultimate responsibility falls on the shoulders of the all stakeholders who are in contact with the people at the grassroots” if the governors prioritize census exercise even without financial commitment, it will go a long way in achieving the the goal of a truly credible Census in the end. This commitment is expected of all leaders if we must achieve set objectives.The statement added.
The group further noted that the National Population Commission (NPC) under the leadership of Alh Nasir Isa Kwarra has been consistent in the efforts towards reforming the conduct of census to meet international best practices. “Under the current leadership of the Commission, the Nigerian government has led multiple Committees under the United Nations supervision as part of Nigeria’s commitment to global standards integration.
The support and recognition of the United Nations to Nigeria in it’s bid to achieve the first digital census exercise is a major significant shift that requires collective support from all stakeholders ” The state governors are expected to lead the charge in this efforts so as to bring the essence of census exercise to the grassroots people” The group insisted that religious leaders as well as traditional and political class as well as sport managers and social influencers all have roles to play in the census advocacy if we must have a credible census exercise worth the resources and the wait “
“If governors prioritize national census exercise , the results will fast track development and streamline management of resources for the overall objectives of goverment. “But at the moment our findings suggest that governors are not doing as much as required on the census advocacy and our appeal only seeks to draw attention to the enormous advantages of census in terms of planning and development ” So ours is a moral call for governors to leverage on the preparedness of the federal government to achieve the overall objectives”
The group further commended the National Population Commission for the consistent reforms in the Commission especially on the resources deployed on Information Communication Technology and planing to advance the Commission’s objective for a credible digital census exercise.
The group appreciated CSOs and Media on their patriotic roles and tasked them to maintain support for the Commission in the overall public interest.
By Fabian Apechihin
The 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill has moved to the state level following its consideration by the National Assembly, paving the way for state legislatures to consider the proposed amendments.
The development comes amid renewed attention on constitutional reform and ongoing discussions over proposed changes to Nigeria’s governing framework.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations surrounding borrowing by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
House spokesperson Akin Rotimi Agbese, speaking in an interview with Channels Television, rejected claims that Wike had undertaken borrowing without the knowledge or approval of the National Assembly.
Agbese said the FCT minister could not independently create a sovereign borrowing obligation, stressing that public borrowing is subject to constitutional, statutory and administrative procedures.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the National Assembly,” Agbese said.
He explained that borrowing to finance infrastructure was not unlawful where the required approvals and procedures had been followed.
“Borrowing for infrastructure development is not unlawful in itself, provided the prescribed approvals and procedures are followed,” he added.
The House spokesperson further argued that an increase in the FCT’s debt profile should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of illegal borrowing, citing the scale of infrastructure projects being undertaken in Abuja under Wike.
According to Agbese, the key issue is whether the appropriate approvals were obtained for specific borrowing transactions, rather than simply whether the FCT’s overall debt profile has increased.
The comments come as scrutiny continues over public borrowing, infrastructure financing and the legal procedures governing government debt at both the federal and sub-national levels.
By Fabian Apechihin
The 2026 Constitution Amendment Bill has moved to the state level following its consideration by the National Assembly, paving the way for state legislatures to consider the proposed amendments.
The development comes amid renewed attention on constitutional reform and ongoing discussions over proposed changes to Nigeria’s governing framework.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has defended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations surrounding borrowing by the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
House spokesperson Akin Rotimi Agbese, speaking in an interview with Channels Television, rejected claims that Wike had undertaken borrowing without the knowledge or approval of the National Assembly.
Agbese said the FCT minister could not independently create a sovereign borrowing obligation, stressing that public borrowing is subject to constitutional, statutory and administrative procedures.
“Wike has committed no infraction in borrowings. There is no basis for the allegation that he has been borrowing money behind the back of the National Assembly,” Agbese said.
He explained that borrowing to finance infrastructure was not unlawful where the required approvals and procedures had been followed.
“Borrowing for infrastructure development is not unlawful in itself, provided the prescribed approvals and procedures are followed,” he added.
The House spokesperson further argued that an increase in the FCT’s debt profile should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of illegal borrowing, citing the scale of infrastructure projects being undertaken in Abuja under Wike.
According to Agbese, the key issue is whether the appropriate approvals were obtained for specific borrowing transactions, rather than simply whether the FCT’s overall debt profile has increased.
The comments come as scrutiny continues over public borrowing, infrastructure financing and the legal procedures governing government debt at both the federal and sub-national levels.
By Fabian Apechihin
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its intention to contest the 2027 presidential election despite the decision of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The party said Wike’s decision was personal and did not alter its position to participate in the presidential election with its candidate, Senator Sandy Onor. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, made the clarification on Wednesday.
According to the party, a recent conversation between Wike and Onor should not be interpreted as a political negotiation between the minister and the PDP.
“He told Nigerians that Sandy is his friend. And they only had a friendly discussion within the umbrella of friendship. So, that is just a personal discussion between him and his friend,” Mohammed said.
He added that Wike’s support for Tinubu did not prevent the PDP from fielding candidates for the presidential, governorship and legislative elections.
Wike had earlier clarified that his support in 2027 was specifically for Tinubu’s presidential re-election and did not amount to an agreement that the PDP would withdraw from other electoral contests. He also said he never promised that the PDP would abandon its candidates for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
“I said I will support the President from day one. I never told Mr President I will join APC,” Wike said.
The minister also maintained that his proposed Rainbow Coalition was not an arrangement with the All Progressives Congress (APC), but rather a platform through which politicians from different parties could mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.
The issue has generated disagreement with some APC governors, who have expressed concern about a political arrangement that could affect the party’s candidates at other levels.
APC Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman, Hope Uzodinma, said the governors would not support any alliance or arrangement that could weaken the APC or adversely affect its candidates.
Meanwhile, APC presidential campaign council spokesperson Ima Niboro has urged Wike and APC governors to end their public exchanges and concentrate on political mobilisation.
“When I said tone down the rhetoric, I do not mean stop working. Stop talking, go and work,” Niboro said.
He urged political leaders to strengthen their grassroots structures and engage directly with voters rather than continue exchanging statements in the media.
“All this shouting is not taking anybody anywhere. Go and work. Go and establish your authority on your political base,” he said.
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