The Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), has asked the Federal Government to potspone its proposed National Census scheduled for next year until after the 2023 general elections.
Spokesman of the pan-Arewa socio-political organisation, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, in an issued statement, yesterday, said the “integrity and success of a sensitive and vital activity such as this will be compromised by destabilised and threatened communities and proximity to another sensitive activity such as general elections.
The NEF said, “The Forum invites attention to the hardship under which the vast majority of the population lives. Increasing poverty levels and widespread insecurity demand that leaders should exercise extreme caution in taking economic and security-related decisions.
“Increase in the price of fuel in particular will compound the already desperate condition of living of most Nigerians.
“It is important that decisions on this matter include considerations of the interests of the national economy, welfare of the citizens and reactions of a hard-pressed citizenry”.
The Forum also advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to interfere or terminate the on-going trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), who is facing charges of treasonable felony.
Recall that some eminent leaders from the South-East region had visited President Buhari and appealed for Kanu’s release.
However, Baba-Ahmed argued that his release would further deepen the security situation in the country.
The former Permanent Secretary, who warned against the profiling of Fulani herders as terrorists, suggested that the Federal Government should clear the air on the labeling of bandits as terrorists.
