Advocates say succession should reflect equity, continuity and Nigeria’s federal character principle
By Sani Musa Akwanga
Calls have emerged for the Federal Government to retain the chairmanship of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Nigeria’s North Central region following the death of the Commission’s former chairman, who had spent less than a year in office.
The call comes amid discussions over who should succeed the late chairman, with concerns raised in political circles over reports that the position could be moved outside the North Central geopolitical zone.
Sani Musa Akwanga, who made the case in a statement, said any decision on a successor should be guided by fairness, equity, federal character and the need to maintain balanced representation in Nigeria’s key national institutions.
Akwanga argued that the North Central should retain the position to ensure continuity in the Commission’s leadership, noting that the region had developed institutional experience through its previous occupants of the office.
He said the call was not intended to exclude other regions from national appointments but rather to uphold what he described as established principles of orderly succession and equitable representation.
“The North Central should retain the chairmanship—not as a privilege, but as a matter of equity, continuity and respect for the principles upon which Nigeria’s federal system is expected to operate,” Akwanga said.
He pointed to previous succession arrangements within the Commission, including a period when an acting chairman from Niger State led the agency before the appointment of a substantive chairman.
Akwanga warned that moving the position from the North Central before the completion of what he described as an existing regional leadership arrangement could fuel perceptions of marginalisation and imbalance.
The NPC plays a key role in population management, demographic planning and the generation of data used to guide government policy and national development.
Akwanga said the appointment of its chairman should therefore be based on competence and experience while reflecting Nigeria’s constitutional principles of fairness, equity and broad national inclusion.
He urged the Federal Government to use the forthcoming appointment to reaffirm its commitment to federal character, national balance and inclusiveness.