Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ordering the postponement of the 2023 National Population Census.
Governor Ortom had on April 13, called on the Federal Government to postpone the planned census until adequate security was guaranteed in the country.
Governor Ortom had said that conducting the census would amount to injustice and deprivation of millions of Nigerians who have been displaced from their ancestral homes and are living in IDP camps in Benue State and other parts of the country.
“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. So 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. Because I understand from the National Population Commission that those to be counted must be counted in their localities.”
The Governor encouraged the Federal Government to ensure that Nigerians whose villages have been overrun by bandits and armed herders regain their lands and return home now that President Buhari has approved the postponement of the census.
He says the lives and well being of the people must be placed above other factors for the nation to realize its aspiration for greater growth and development.
Governor Ortom said he remains committed to the rule of law, justice, fairness and equity.
