Politics of population census

I have never minced words on the reality and intricate relationship between population census and politics not just in Nigeria and Africa but the world over. In the early times during colonial rule when Nigeria came into being, certain sections of the country would deliberately undercount itself because of the fear of over-tax by the […]

I have never minced words on the reality and intricate relationship between population census and politics not just in Nigeria and Africa but the world over. In the early times during colonial rule when Nigeria came into being, certain sections of the country would deliberately undercount itself because of the fear of over-tax by the colonial government.
However and for fact, population census wasn’t new to some sections of this country. In the North and  South west for instance including mid-west, headcount had even before the advent of colonial rule been part of the administrative machinery of these areas for many reasons ranging from the need to control data for administrative uses that are                                                 vital and important uses.
The advent of colonial rule enforced the issue of tax administration and thus scared several areas against true declaration;instead people were encouraged to stay away whenever headcount was on. The reason as said earlier was mainly economic. However with the growingconsciousness in the polity and the realization of the imperatives of number in plural democracy, the olden days strategy soon gave way by the struggle to increase numbers.
Peoples across cultures, climes and persuasions began to see population headcount not any longeras taxation tool but instrument of resource and political control. It is against this background that the current agitation amongst different sections that make up polities especially federal polities to struggle for numbers even if at the expense of honesty and integrity.
In Nigeria, population census has been controversial throughout its brief history. From the first headcount in the 1950s to the last of 2006, different sections of the country have presented same sometime different allegations against the manner the exercises were conducted. These agitations are communal, state and even regional.
There are communities within local government areas that claimed were undercounted during the exercise. There are some within states but the most prominent is the one we are hearing now from Odimegwu meaning that the section he comes from was deliberately shortchanged by the government of General Obasanjo. The implicit implication of Odumegwus’s point is that now that he is a Chair of the population commission, he will do everything within his powers to change the configuration of the nation’s population.
This is the first time in the history of this country that we have an umpire who even before the contest is determining the outcome of such a contest. I think those in charge must call Odimegwu to order before he puts Nigeria into yet another round of unfortunate violenceand  crisis whose magnitude is better imagined.
Why would Odimegwu use the case of Niger State to state his false assumption? How can the Population CommissionChairman claim that in the history of Nigeria there was never any population census that was correct? What informed his thinking that he has the capacity to conduct a credible census therefore?
I think Odimegwu must be brought to book for making reckless statements on very sensitive national issue that he is asked to handle with care. I am sure he is falsely assuming that he can do something different by projecting his region or any other one for that matter as more populated than others. He cannot do that, he is incapable and is simply wasting his time.
In the history of headcount in Nigeria, the results released in the 1950s, 1963, 1973 and even the one held in 1990 as well as the latest among which Odimegwu is castigating presented similar pattern and outcome. What was different were merely the figures. If Festus Odimegwu is bereaved due to the number in the south east, he should go back to history and study the figures before now.
Or, no! he said all the headcounts conducted in the past were wrong. The implicit meaning of that is simple that thenumber from his regional constituency has always been lower in relation to the other major groups in the country i.e south west and the north. Being the first Ibo man there, he is determined to change that configuration by all means at whatever cost and he tells that to all of us without regard to our conscience and intelligence.
It is really god that Odimegwu has been flippant over this matter. I am glad that he is not quite and has made his intention known to the whole nation thereby giving the rest of us the necessary time to prepare for this major historical onslaught on the rest of Nigeria by an ethnic zealot.
Those in government must listen to what Odimegwu is saying. It is a prelude on what to expect. But the beauty of it all is that he has served enoughnotice to us all and the onus lies on all to ensure that he is blocked and stopped from any attempt todestroy the country for his ethno selfishness. Festus has spoken in good time the rest is left to Nigeria to handle.
Population census issue is a very crucial national issue and must be handled with the necessary political craftsmanship I order to ensure that the peace of the society is maintained. I don’t mind if peace is distorted for the sake of enthronement of justice but I mind when senseless pseudo sentiments is causative to instability and that exactly is what the population commission chair is trying to do.
To test the will of the majority for pecuniary reasons, you cannot be a player and a judge in your own case. President Jonathan mustn’t relieve Odimegwu of his appointment but the rest of the nation must remain vigilant so that they are not short-changed. I am optimistic that the will of the people is stronger than the machinations of any cabal no matter how strong.