Don’t Delay Census, Experts Tell Tinubu
Following the suspension of the 2023 population and housing census planned for May by the Federal Government, some experts in demography and economy have called on the incoming administration, led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to prioritise the exercise.
They argued that the census was long overdue given that the last time it held was 17 years ago.
The Census was to be conducted last year but was rescheduled to March 2023. It was later scheduled for May 3 to 7, 2023, which was later postponed.
The exercise was last conducted in 2006, being 17 years ago.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on April 29 approved the postponement of the exercise to a date to be determined by the incoming administration.
Buhari was said to have given the approval after meeting with some members of the Federal Executive Council.
The PUNCH reported that before the postponement of the exercise, the NPC already made some progress in its preparation for the exercise, including the completion of the Enumeration Area Demarcation of the country, the conduct of first and second pre-tests, the recruitment and training of ad hoc workers, procurement of Personal Digital Assistants and Information Communication Technology infrastructure.
Why I’ll Continue Sacking Workers, Demolishing Structures – El-Rufai
The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has vowed to continue sacking bad workers in government and demolishing illegal structures in the state until his last day in office.
The governor, who made the statement during a book launch written about his administration, said he was bent on continuing the move so his successor would not need to do it again.
El-Rufai said, “Any bad thing we find, we will remove it so that the next governor does not need to do it again. Watch out till the eleventh hour when we shall quit office, we will continue to sack bad persons and remove bad things.”
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, while describing Governor El-Rufai as a hardworking person, said, “Give El-Rufai any task, and he will deliver it.”
In his remarks, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, described El-Rufai as a fearless, outspoken politician that speaks truth to power.
He donated N20m for the book launch and advised other guests to buy the books and stock them in public and private school libraries in the country.
Tinubu Returns, Set To Tackle N’Assembly Leadership Tussle
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, returned to the country from a holiday in France on Saturday and is scheduled to meet with members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress and aspirants jostling for leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly.
Tinubu’s private jet touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 12.15pm and he and his wife, Oluremi, were received by the Vice-President-elect, Kashim Shetimma; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase; and the anointed candidate for the position of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and other top members of the APC and supporters.
Tinubu is expected to join the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and other dignitaries for the official opening of the Dangote Refinery Complex in the Lekki area of Lagos State on Monday.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the President-elect was prevailed upon by the APC Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, to return to the country as he was already losing grip of the 10th National Assembly leadership jostle due to his absence.
Why LP Senators-Elect support APC’s choice for presidency – Osuntokun
The Director-General, Labour Party presidential campaign council, Akin Osuntokun, has explained the reason why senators-elect on the Labour Party platform are supporting the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the position of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Prior to the selection of Senators Godswill Akpabio and Barau Jibrin for the seat of the Senate President and deputy respectively, the leadership of the APC has been wooing its aggrieved members and members-elect from other parties to support the duo for the positions.
The APC National Working Committee and Akpabio/Barau Campaign Organisation also known as The Stability Group on Wednesday met with the leadership of the Labour Party and the New Nigerian People’s Party to appreciate them for their support for the APC candidate.
Speaking on the details of the meeting in an interview on Arise TV, the Chairman of the group and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, said Akpabio and Barau had the support of senators-elect from the Peoples Democratic Party and the LP. He added that 70 senators had signed to support the Akpabio/Barau ticket.
