Presidency Approved Auction of Census Materials, Cross River NPC Says

The National Population Commission (NPC) in Cross River State has dismissed allegations that census materials were diverted to All Progressives Congress (APC) wards in Biase Local Government Area, insisting that the items were auctioned with the approval of the Presidency on safety grounds.

The commission described the allegation as false, unfounded and politically motivated, saying it was intended to damage the reputation of its Federal Commissioner in the state, Rt. Hon. Alex Ukam.

The controversy emerged on social media following claims that Ukam, who is also an APC leader in Biase, diverted items, including power banks and life jackets, to his political associates.

However, the NPC State Director in Cross River, Mr. Roland Odey, rejected the allegations while addressing journalists in Calabar on Friday.

Odey explained that sensitive census and election materials were usually kept in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for security and safety reasons.

According to him, the materials, which included laptops, tablets, power banks, raincoats and life jackets, had remained in the bank's custody for an extended period before concerns were raised about the safety of some of the items, particularly power banks nearing their expiry dates.

He said the CBN subsequently wrote to the Presidency, which authorised the auction of items considered to pose potential safety risks.

“The national headquarters in Abuja then directed all state offices to work with the CBN, and auctioneers were engaged from Abuja to handle the sales,” Odey said.

He maintained that the auction process was centrally coordinated and that the Cross River State office did not control the sale of the materials.

Odey disclosed that the auction in Cross River State commenced last Monday and lasted for two days, attracting a large number of prospective buyers to the commission's office in Calabar.

“The huge crowd of buyers who turned out at our office in Calabar for the two days made the place look like a market. The state office had no control over the sales; the auctioneers were in charge,” he said.

The state director further clarified that only power banks were auctioned in Cross River State, dismissing suggestions that other census materials had been distributed to political associates.

He added that some of the buyers were professionals who travelled with the auctioneers from one state to another to participate in the sales.

The commission warned politicians, bloggers and other social media users against publishing unverified allegations, stressing that misinformation could damage the reputations of individuals and institutions.

It urged members of the public to establish the facts before circulating claims, particularly those involving public officials and government agencies.

The controversy has drawn attention to the handling and disposal of materials procured for national exercises, with the NPC maintaining that the auction was an authorised administrative process rather than a diversion of public property for political purposes.