CALABAR — The National Population Commission (NPC) in Cross River State has dismissed social media allegations alleging the illegal diversion of census materials to political parties, clarifying that public auction activities in Calabar were fully authorized by the Presidency.
Speaking to newsmen in Calabar, Cross River State, on Saturday morning, NPC Federal Commissioner, Apostle Tonye Odey, refuted viral claims suggesting that census equipment, including laptops and life jackets, were distributed for political campaigns ahead of local council elections.
Odey explained that the items involved were strictly power banks stored at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Due to safety risks associated with aging batteries nearing their expiration dates, the CBN requested presidential clearance to auction the combustible items.
Following approval from the Presidency and directives from the NPC national headquarters in Abuja, licensed professional auctioneers conducted a transparent two-day public sale at the commission’s Calabar office.
“The state office had no control over the sales; it was entirely handled by the auctioneers engaged from Abuja. Contrary to claims, only power banks were auctioned as approved,” Odey stated.
The commission urged commentators and political stakeholders to verify information before publication to avoid misleading the public and damaging institutional integrity.
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