In a critical development from Kaduna on Sunday, the National Management Committee of Nigeria’s premier youth organization, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), announced the expulsion of several members for deviance. Meanwhile, a robust vote of confidence was placed on Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, affirming his presidency of NYCN.
A communique released on Tuesday detailed the committee’s decisions, highlighting the expulsion of certain National Executive Council (NEC) members of NYCN for contravening the NYCN 2018 constitution, as revised. Those expelled include: Comrade Akoshile Mukhtar Adeola, Comrade Dotun Omoloye, Comrade Bashir Garba, Comrade Smart Uwakwe, Comrade Zaka Nehemiah, Comrade Izunna Agwuncha, Comrade Ibrahim Inuwa Dangata, Comrade Aminu Ubale Funtua, Comrade Blessing Onne Okwe, and Comrade Clinton Avwoke.
Furthermore, the Committee debunked the legitimacy of the GRAND COMMANDER OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTH (GCNY) title purportedly bestowed upon Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, declaring it counterfeit and unauthorized. It affirmed that the sole recipient of this title, as per current standings, is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, categorizing any award to the former Kogi Governor by certain financially motivated youths as null and void.
The resolutions from the emergency meeting included votes of confidence in various political and youth leadership figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the current leadership of NYCN under Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, among others. The Committee also ratified the leadership changes within the NYCN Chairmen’s forum and addressed several state-specific leadership disputes.
In light of the committee’s deliberations, actions were taken against members who breached the organization’s constitution, leading to their expulsion. The NYCN management also resolved to engage with the media through Comrade Damola Olugbode amidst ongoing crises and underscored NYCN’s apolitical and non-partisan stance, clarifying that no political party funds were received during the last general elections.
A significant decision was the maintenance of the status quo regarding the reconstitution of NYCN’s Board of Trustees due to ongoing legal proceedings. The committee also reiterated that the prestigious GCNY award remains exclusively for the serving President of Nigeria, thereby invalidating any such award previously conferred on Yahaya Bello.
Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo’s tenure as NYCN President was confirmed to continue until September 2025, in accordance with the 2018 amended constitution. Lastly, the management authorized legal actions for defamation and related issues against the expelled NEC members, demonstrating a firm stance on upholding the organization’s integrity and reputation.
