Northern Elders demand reconstitution census committee

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called for the immediate reconstitution of Nigeria’s National Census Committee to ensure equitable representation across the country’s six geopolitical zones, in line with the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution.

In a statement issued on Friday by NEF Spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, the forum condemned the current composition of the committee, describing it as “grossly lopsided” in favor of the South West and a deliberate exclusion of other regions.

The group warned that such actions undermine democratic values of fairness, inclusivity, and justice, threatening Nigeria’s unity.

“The sustained marginalization of certain regions breeds resentment, deepens divisions, and could fuel avoidable instability in the country,” the statement read.

“The conduct of a national census is a critical and sensitive matter, one that must enjoy the confidence and participation of all geopolitical zones.”

The NEF emphasized that the federal character principle, which mandates balanced representation in government appointments and agencies, is a constitutional requirement aimed at promoting national unity and preventing the dominance of any region or ethnic group.

The forum further demanded a comprehensive review and equitable redistribution of federal appointments across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reflect Nigeria’s diversity.

“Any attempt to marginalize or suppress the interests of other regions risks undermining the legitimacy, accuracy, and national acceptance of the census outcome,” Jiddere added.

The group urged the federal government to uphold the rule of law and foster inclusive leadership to preserve Nigeria’s unity as a diverse nation bound by a common destiny.

Failure to address these concerns, the NEF warned, could erode trust and exacerbate tensions across the country.