The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against any form of regional favoritism in the forthcoming national census, warning that perceived marginalization could undermine national unity and the credibility of the exercise.
In a statement released on Friday by NEF spokesman, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, the forum condemned the recently constituted National Census Committee, describing its composition as lopsided and skewed in favor of the South-West.
“The current makeup of the census committee is not reflective of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” the statement read. “This clear imbalance appears to be a deliberate move to sideline other regions and violates the federal character principle enshrined in the constitution.”
NEF urged the Federal Government to urgently reconstitute the committee to ensure equitable representation across all zones, emphasizing that a credible census must enjoy the trust and participation of every region in the country.
“The conduct of a national census is a critical and sensitive matter. Any attempt to marginalize or suppress the interests of other regions risks undermining the legitimacy, accuracy, and national acceptance of the outcome,” the statement said.
The Forum also called for a broader review and redistribution of federal appointments in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to reflect Nigeria’s diversity and constitutional mandates.
Warning of the consequences of continued exclusion, NEF stated: “The sustained marginalization of certain regions breeds resentment, deepens national divisions, and could fuel avoidable instability.”
The group concluded by stressing that Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity, and that true leadership must be anchored on fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law.
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