Nigeria’s census chief has been forced to resign by President Goodluck Jonathan in his bid to please the largely Muslim north ahead of the country’s 2015 presidential ballot in which he is expected to offer himself for re-election.

A statement this afternoon from the office of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said Eze Festus Odimegwu has resigned his position as Chairman of the National Population Commission.

The statement gave no explanation as to what led to the resignation and named the commissioner representing Abia State, Doctor Sam Ahaiwe, as the Acting Chairman of the commission, pending the appointment of a chairman.

Odimegwu, who had hardly settled down as NPC Chairman, had ruffled feathers in the north when he claimed that previous census exercises were rigged in favour of the region. He vowed to correct the situation in the forthcoming census.

His utterances did not, however, go down well with Muslim northern leaders, who mounted a campaign fro his removal.

Odimegwu was subsequently queried late August by the Presidency and suspended for alleged mismanagement, reckless utterances and embarrassment of the government.

•Photo shows ex-NPC Chairman, Festus Odimegwu.