By: Elizabeth A. Kaine
On 11 September 2024, the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party announced its full participation in the upcoming nationwide Population and Housing Census, scheduled for December 2025. This surprising move marks a significant shift in the party’s stance, as it had previously distanced itself from the census process.
According to Sidi Yaya Tunis, National Publicity Secretary of the APC, the party is committed to supporting the census, citing its constitutional requirement. “We will fully participate, promote it, and mobilize our membership and supporters to participate,” Tunis stated.
This sudden shift in stance comes after the APC had previously accused the government of using the census for political gain. However, the government has consistently maintained that the census is solely for development purposes.
The 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census results revealed a total national population of 7,541,641, with the Eastern Region being the most populated. The APC’s endorsement of the 2025 Census signals a collaborative approach towards ensuring accurate population data, crucial for national development and planning.
President Julius Maada Bio has emphasized the significance of the census in guiding development programs, including the 2024-2030 Medium Term National Development Plan and efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The APC’s U-turn on census participation is seen as a positive move towards national development, and it remains to be seen how this newfound cooperation will impact the country’s future.
