The controversy surrounding the postponed 2023 national census in Nigeria has intensified, with the opposition accusing the Federal Government of misappropriating the released funds for electoral purposes. The Labour Party, in particular, has questioned the whereabouts of the N234 billion disbursed for the census, alleging that the Buhari administration diverted the money to fund the 2023 election campaign. This accusation stems from the fact that the census, initially slated for May 2023, was postponed shortly before the elections, and the funds allocated for the exercise have seemingly vanished without a trace. The Labour Party demands accountability and urges the relevant authorities to investigate the matter and recover the missing funds.
The National Population Commission, responsible for conducting the census, had initially proposed a budget of N800 billion. By May 2023, N224 billion had been released, in addition to a previous N10 billion allocated for Enumeration Area Demarcation. However, the postponement of the census, ostensibly to allow the incoming Tinubu administration to contribute to the planning process, has raised suspicions. The Labour Party argues that the timing of the postponement, coupled with the lack of transparency regarding the disbursed funds, strongly suggests a deliberate diversion of resources for political gain.
The current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, has yet to announce a new date for the census, further fueling the controversy. This delay has significant implications for governance, economic planning, and resource allocation, as accurate population data is crucial for effective policy-making. The opposition views the government’s silence on the matter as a tacit admission of guilt, reinforcing their belief that the funds were indeed misappropriated. They argue that in a country where censuses are conducted infrequently, often with long delays between exercises, the lack of accountability regarding public funds is unacceptable.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, vehemently denies the allegations, dismissing them as baseless political attacks. The party maintains that the census is a crucial national assignment that remains a priority for the Tinubu administration. They argue that the postponement was necessary to ensure a thorough and accurate exercise and that the funds are secure and will be utilized appropriately when the census is rescheduled. The APC emphasizes the importance of the census for national development and asserts that the government is committed to conducting it in a transparent and efficient manner.
The conflicting narratives surrounding the census funds highlight the deep-seated distrust between the ruling party and the opposition. While the opposition sees the postponement and lack of accountability as evidence of corruption, the ruling party insists that the exercise is simply delayed and that the funds are being managed responsibly. This disagreement underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, particularly in a context where such resources are often subject to political manipulation.
The future of the 2023 national census remains uncertain. While the APC insists that the exercise will be conducted eventually, no concrete timeline has been provided. The controversy surrounding the missing funds has further eroded public trust in the government and raised serious questions about the integrity of the census process. Ultimately, the resolution of this issue will require a thorough investigation and a commitment from the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. Failure to do so will only further deepen the political divide and undermine the credibility of the census, whenever it eventually takes place.
