The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) has urged Igbo outside the South-East region to return home and be counted during the 2023 census.
The National Population Census is scheduled for 3rd to 5th May.
IPoB said it was imperative for the Igbo to be counted during this year’s census in order to ascertain their actual population size, adding the opportunity will equally prove to the world that they are not really, “a dot” in a circle.
In a statement on Wednesday, the group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Emma Powerful said that the census would serve as a chance for the Igbo to ascertain the population and the size of amenities needed in their territory.
“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 Nigerian 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”.
He added that it would engage transport owners to be part of this project so that those willing to travel to the East to be counted could do so.
“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”.
The National Population Commission said it had put out measures to guard against all forms of malpractices ahead of the exercise.
The commission also stressed that citizens living away from their states of origin do not need to travel to home for the purpose of the exercise.
It said people would be enumerated at their places of residence.
