News
Expedite Action on Census Conduct, CSO Tells NASS
…lauds NPC over preparedness for a credible Census
The Conference of Ethnic Tribes and Minorities (COETAM) in Nigeria has called on the members of the National Assembly to renew and escalate calls for a credible national census exercise which is long overdue for the country.
In a statement released to journalists in Abuja on Monday by the organization and signed by Comrade Patrick Ameh commended the Committees on National Population and Identity in the 10th National Assembly for it’s co-operation and excellent legislative roles in guiding the National Population Commission in the performance of their functions.
“As we are all aware, the role of the National Population Commission is critical to the planning and development of the nation which is the ultimate agenda of the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
The group noted that without credible data, Nigeria’s development would be hindered insisting that considering the last census exercise which was done in 2006 , there is every urgent need for the government to conduct another national exercise to accommodate the sudden population explosion and correct the defects of the last census exercise which was widely contested.
“Even by our own laws as pioneered by the national assembly and the United Nations conventions, a national Population Census exercise is long overdue hence the appeal for action” “There can be no meaningful development and prosperity if the government continues to plan with unreliable data especially in the face of global economic uncertainties ” The statement added.
The organization also highlighted the sterling reforms spearheaded in the management of future census exercises under the current leadership of the Commission with regard to the preparation for the proposed national census exercise ” Worthy of note is the transition of the commission’s operational capacities; seamlessly replacing analog operations with digital systems that would minimize and eliminate human errors to ensure credibility of the exercise”
“The training and retraining of over one million resources persons across the country, the acquisition of Digital Personnel Assistants , the design, development and procurement of relevant IT infrastructure as well as the successful demarcation and marking of the entire country by the commission, more than ever points to the preparedness of the Commission to deliver a credible and acceptable census exercise when Mr President issues the proclamation” This is highly commendable.
“At the level of Civil Society Organizations, we are confident that the current Commission under the leadership of Alh Nasir Isa Kwarra is positioned to deliver on its mandate hence the appeal for our elected representatives to renew and escalate the conversation for this very important exercise as part of their roles for in seeking the good of their people” If we prioritize census as we do the elections , we can be sure as a nation to experience even development. ” this is the only way to appropriate resources and services based on statistics for the overall public good”
The group also called on civil society, religious leaders, traditional rulers and corporate organizations to join the conversation on the need for a truly credible national census exercise as soon as practicable so as to reset and fasttrack development to match President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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