Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour party (LP), has expressed his approval of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to postpone the 2023 census.
Buhari made the announcement after a meeting with members of the Federal Executive Council, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra, and his team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
“FGN’s decision to postpone the 2023 Population and Housing Census, scheduled for 3-7 May 2023, to a date to be determined by the incoming Administration is a propitious and welcome development,” Obi tweeted.
He emphasized that a national census is a vital tool for development and nation-building. He also stated that while Nigeria is long overdue for a census, it is necessary to properly plan and conduct it to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results.
Furthermore, he called for the effective use of the data gathered from the exercise to support national development goals, improve living standards, and address the growing national housing deficit.
“It is hoped that when eventually the census is conducted, it will serve as confidence-building measures instead of being fraught with the usual controversy,” he added.