By Ijeoma Obioma
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for listening to the voice of reason and directing that the 2023 National Population Census be postponed.
Our Correspondent recalls that Governor Ortom had on April 13, 2023, called on the Federal Government to postpone the planned census until adequate security is guaranteed in the country.
The Governor specifically stated that conducting the census would amount to injustice and deprivation of millions of Nigerians who have been displaced from their ancestral homes and living in IDP camps in Benue State and other parts of the country.
In a a statement made by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase in Makurdi and a copy made available to The Reporters on Saturday,the governor said; "I want to say that the Federal Government should suspend the issue of census because it looks like the proposed census is coming with an agenda."
According to the governor, the exercise should remain suspected "until they are able to restore security and all our IDPs go back to their ancestral lands to give all of them opportunities to be counted in the homes of birth."
"This is because I understand from the National Population Commission that those to be counted must be counted in their localities.
The Governor urged the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians whose communities had been taken over by bandits and armed herders, regain their lands and return home.
Akase qouted the governor as saying that the lives and well being of the people must be placed above other factors,for the nation to realize its aspiration for greater grow,th and development.
The governor's aide said his boss remained committed to the rule of law, justice, fairness andequity.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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