A leadership crisis is brewing, and may well be a sequel to the protest by youth groups under the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). It is over the alleged ‘manipulation’ of the group by the State Government, and the imposition of a management committee for the voluntary Youth organization.
The aggrieved youths, under the aegis of the Bayelsa Youth Coalition of Uniform and Non-Uniform Bodies (BYCUNB), in a Statement issued on Saturday, claimed the Bayelsa government was behind the crisis.
The statement was written in Yenagoa, and signed by its Chairman, Livingstone Ayawei, and the group’s Secretary, Ebiakpo Bribena.
According to them, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Youths Development, Akpoebidei Alamieyeseigha, had organized a vote of ‘no confidence’ gathering on the Bright Igrubia-led leadership of the NYCN in the state and inaugurated a ‘caretaker committee,’ to pilot the affairs of the Council.
The management committee was allegedly set up by the State Government, and was set up to look into the protracted crisis that had engulfed the Council.
The State Commissioner for Youths Development was also reported to have charged the newly constituted caretaker leadership, led by Emmanuel Dede, to work in tandem with the Restoration Agenda of the Dickson-led administration.
The Commissioner urged them to be of ‘good conduct in character,’ and leadership with a mandate to inject a new lease of life, and conduct elections and usher in new executives within ninety days.
Other members of the caretaker committee include, Asari Ebikabowei, secretary, Iniye Willy, treasurer, while Miss Nicole Modu Spiff and Clinton Talent, are to serve as members.
But the aggrieved Youth groups in the statement accused the State Government of acting illegally.
"The meeting convened by the State Commissioner contravenes the constitution of the organization, in matters concerning its operations. It should be noted that Article 15, section 1(g) of the Youth constitution states that, “Notwithstanding any other provisions in this constitution, the youth council is autonomous in operation, planning and execution of all its activities without interference from government or any external bodies.
"The commissioner does not have any right to convene a meeting, talk less of dissolving the Executive without due- process,” the statement reads.
“The body, therefore, ordered the Commissioner to immediately reverse the dissolution of the Executive, and reinstate Hon. Bright Igrubia as executive without further delay to avoid unpleasant consequences," the statement continued.
On the issue of impeachment of a substantive Chairman of the NYCN, the Chairman of the group, Comrade Livingstone Ayaowei, said that the procedure is just that.
“In the event of a removal or impeachment of a substantive Chairman, a National management shall be set up to investigate his activities, and summit its report to the general secretary. (The submission will include) chairman, board of trustees, and the president, (all to) be invited, and given a fair hearing in the matter before any action could be taken.
"The procedure adopted by the State Government lacks credibility, and it is a “Kangaroo Committee,” Comrade Livingstone Ayaowei said. “We have urged the public to disregard any information about the dissolution of the Igrubia-led Executive
“We urge the youth to continue to be law abiding." He stated.