The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi State Chapter, has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to rein in some aggrieved past Chairmen who are determined to cause a crisis in the state.
Comrade Ben Jerry, the Chairman of NYCN in Kogi State, made the call at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lokoja.
Jerry stated that the current executive in Kogi State is not in crisis, adding that under his leadership, free, fair, and credible elections were conducted in three Local Government Areas of Kogi East.
“We are here to inform the public about the events in the Council. It is very concerning that at this critical time in our state, some individuals who call themselves former Chairmen of the Council are attempting to create problems for us.
“We want the government to understand that any potential crisis is not caused by my executive committee or the Council’s management. We are peace-loving people and will not take any actions that jeopardize the peace Kogi State enjoys.
“As you can see, all members of the executive committee are here to confirm that the Youth Council stands united. They are attempting to divide us because of our achievements in a short period.
“All executives across the three Senatorial Districts are present here. We do not have any issues in the Council. Their grievances today stem from the Congress where these individuals pursued their interests.
“I informed them that I called for a management meeting to discuss how to conduct free, fair, and credible elections to bring in those who should be part of the Council. To our surprise, they engaged in trading the Council’s mandate.
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“They began accepting money from Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, and others, refusing to conduct a credible election. We mandated them to conduct elections within a specific timeframe and report back to the Central Committee, of which I am the State Chairman.
“After March 22nd, we established a review committee to proceed with elections in three Local Governments: Ibaji, Idah, and Igalamela.
“Unfortunately, due to the money they received, after I formed a committee and conducted elections, they proceeded to hold another election. They are attempting to divide the Council and operate a parallel government.
“He called on security agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, and others to focus their investigations on these individuals determined to cause a crisis in the state.
“We will send our reports to all security agencies to emphasize that the Youth Council comprises peaceful people.
“Any information from the Council not from us should be disregarded. As you can see, I recently won my case in court last week, confirming me as the authentic Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter. So, where is the dispute? When I complete my tenure, I will hand over to the Central Committee based on the zoning arrangement.”
Comrade Jerry also dismissed claims that his executive has been operating illegally, stating that he has constitutional authority to suspend members for gross misconduct and insubordination.
He explained further, “Only the executive committee has the authority to suspend members who violate our constitution. The forum of former Chairmen in the Council does not have the right to suspend me or any member of my executive. Suspension can only occur during a management meeting.
“The reports of my suspension are mere media reports and propaganda. Someone cannot sit in a living room or anywhere else to suspend us. Let the public know that there is no crisis and no suspension of the State Chairman. I have always acted within the constitution.
“The individuals we suspended did so with the consent of the executive committee. We held a meeting and agreed to suspend certain individuals for violating our constitution. For instance, we suspended the Deputy State Chairman yesterday in accordance with the law.”
He also took the opportunity to congratulate Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Monday Anyebe on his appointment as the Organizing Secretary of the Forum of Commissioners in Kogi State.
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