The Center for Equity, Justice and Transparency (CESJET) over the weekend, reacted to allegations against the management of the National Population Commission (NPC), by the factional Conference of United Opposition Political Parties in Nigeria (CUOPPIN) alleging mismanagement of funds allocated for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.
CUOPPIN, through a protest notification to the Inspector General of Police which was signed by one Dalapo Ibrahim, alleged that funds allocated for the 2023 Census exercise was misappropriated and challenged the Isa Kwarra led management to a debate.
In a press release signed by Rev. Solomon Semaka, a copy of which was seen by our Abuja correspent, the CSO dismissed the allegations as baseless and infantile, considering the quality and quantity of work done in preparation for the 2023 Census.
According to the release, “the allegations penned down by Dalapo Ibrahim are just a true reflection of his deceitful character. He is at best a suspended force even in the old CUPP which was led by our indefatigable leader, Hon. Ugochinnyere, a vocal and fine legislature with an excellent track record at the House of Representatives.
“Our fact finding check has revealed, that there is only one CUPP led by Hon. Ugochinnyere. Nigerians must therefore disregard Dalapo Ibrahim and his CUOPPIN as it is factional organization established for purposes of blackmail and intimidation of public officials.
The Center for Equity, Justice and Transparency further passed a patriotic vote of confidence on the Chairman of NPC, Alhaji Isa Nasir Kwarra and the President Tinubu Renewed Hope which has resonated with the administration in all areas including the NPC which CUOPPIN is threatening to protest against.
“It is important to emphasize that several groups and civil society groups have hailed the great work NPC has done and is doing to ensure a seamless Census exercise. Groups like Save Nigeria Movement, Freelance Journalists Federation, College of Bishops Imams and Clergy Councils, Global Census Watch and Africa Population Fund Monitoring amongst others endorsed and commended the NPC. CUOPPIN is therefore a painful distraction.
“To put the records straight, the NPC in preparation for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, digitized enumeration areas across the country and trained over 1 million resource persons across different categories to ensure the success of Africa’s first digital census.
“The NPC also designed and developed with the assistance of partners, a functional ICT infrastructure needed for the census including the acquisition of Personnel digital Assistants (PDAs) to minimize human errors. These giant efforts which gulped billions of naira should be commended and not coming condemned blindly.
“Despite the inevitable and unavoidable hiatus caused by the change in government, Nigerians are eagerly awaiting the conduct of the National Census as soon as Mr. President is ready. We therefore, call for active participation and not sabotage”, the release concluded.
