IPOB Urges Igbo People To Return Home For The Census 

The upcoming population census, according to IPOB, might assist determine the number of Biafrans in Nigeria.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a banned organization, has asked Igbo people living outside the South-East area to come home and be counted during the 2023 census.

Explaining why it is critical for Igbos to be tallied during this year’s census, IPOB stated that it will assist determine the region’s true population number and will also offer a chance to show the world that Igbos are not just “a dot” in a circle.

Emma Powerful, the group’s Director of Media and Publicity, revealed this in a statement on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

IPOB’s request runs counter to the National Population Commission’s (NPC) attempts to ensure that people residing outside their states of origin do not have to fly home for the sake of the exercise.

The NPC had previously said that it had put safeguards in place to protect the upcoming population and housing census from any sort of manipulation or malpractice and that people would be counted at their places of abode.

The commission also ruled out the prospect of public holidays during the exercise, which it claims will allow people to move about freely.

“There won’t be a public holiday, because during public holidays people can move from one place to another, but there may be restrictions on movement, based on past experiences. However, I can’t confirm that now. The government will come out with a categorical statement on that,” the spokesperson for the NPC, Isiaka Yahaya, said in an interview.

Nonetheless, Powerful advised Igbos who were unable to go to the South-East for the exercise to ensure that their votes were not counted outside of Biafraland.

The statement read: “The mass return of our people during this forthcoming population census will help us quantify the population of Biafrans in Nigeria. Therefore, we must seize the opportunity the Nigeria Government is offering to our benefit. They have always told the world that we are a dot with an insignificant population.

“Now is the time to let the world know the population of Biafrans in Nigeria as the Biafra agitation is gathering international attention and speed. Biafra is coming, and no one can stop it. IPOB is gradually dismantling all obstacles to our freedom, and this population census will provide another opportunity to collect more evidence to that effect.

“Should there be any reason why you can’t travel to Biafra land to be counted, make sure you and your family members are not counted outside Biafra land. We must prove them wrong once and for all.”

“We are calling on all well-meaning Igbo business men and women, entrepreneurs, senators, ministers, commissioners, House of Assembly members from the Eastern states to contribute in one way or the other to ensure that our people come back home during this population census exercise.”