The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt its plans to conduct a national population and housing census in the country in view of the lingering insecurity in many parts of the country.
This followed the adoption of a motion by a member from Niger state, Shehu Beji on the matter on the floor of the House.
Beji stated that the Federal Government through the National Population Commission NPC has commenced preparations for the 2021 population and housing census across the country.
He observed that the state of insecurity in Nigeria has displaced numerous citizens who are dwellers of various communities to be captured in the exercise.
The lawmaker added that some displaced persons have crossed over to neighbouring communities for refuge and cannot be captured if the census is to be conducted.
He argued that with overwhelming security challenges at hand expecting accuracy in any census conducted now would be like passing an elephant through the eye of the needle.
Mr Beji added that the overlapping effect of active political activities and national headcount shall be prone to political manipulation by overambitious politicians.
RN