Ex NPC Boss, Festus Odimegwu’s Bombshell… ‘I Resigned Because I Didn’t Want To Be Part Of The Whole Nonsense That Was Going On!’

Just resigned boss of National Population Commission, Mr Festus Odimegwu has made a major declaration.

The Head man of the national census body claimed he was forced to resign becuase he wasn’t willing to be a part of the ‘nonsense that was going on’.

He made this assertion in a chat with national daily publication, Thisday.

Odimegwu declared in a telephone chat that ‘ “With the whole nonsense that was going on, I decided to throw in the towel. I had offered to resign previously, but it was turned down, so I am happy that Mr. President has finally accepted my resignation.”

He went on further in response to further probe ‘ “If they think they can conduct a credible census, let them go ahead to do so. If they want to play politics with the census, they should take the job.

“But given my pedigree in the private sector, I was not cut out for such and I had to leave with my dignity intact.”

Mr Odimegwu while acting as the Chairman of the NPC had criticised past conducts of the body, casting doubts on past results and maintaining it favours a particular part .

The census figures is a key player in the nation’s elections results

Odimegwu’s stance had attracted great criticism particularly from the north, with influential politician from that part and governor of Kano state, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso describing him acting under the influence of alcohol. The former NPC was the head man of Nigerian Breweries Plc.

Kwankwaso, along with other major players had demanded for Odimegwu’s sack and on August 27 2013, the presidency had suspended him for amongst others reckless utterances and embarrassment of the government.

On thursday September 17 2013, the Presidency through Mr Mr. Sam Nwaobasi, Special Assistant- Media- to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) announced the acceptance of Mr Odimegwu’s resignation and his (SGF) announced the acceptance of Mr Odimegwu’s resignation and his ‘temporary’ replacement.

It is generally acknowledged that one of the major factors to win a presidential election is for a Candidate to enjoy the support of the Northern region.