The leadership crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) took a new turn at the weekend as the Voluntary Youth Organizations (VYO), South-East Zone, declared its unflinching support for the National Leadership of the Council.
The group, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Emeka Atuanya Esq., condemned what it described as acts of impersonation, constitutional violations, and attempts by certain individuals and their sponsors to undermine the established leadership structures of the NYCN in Anambra State.
Backing the National Leadership and the National Executive Council (NEC), the South-East Youth Groups said it had absolute confidence in whatever lawful measures the leadership may adopt to restore order, discipline, and constitutional governance within the Anambra chapter.
According to the statement, the NYCN Constitution does not grant powers to any State Ninistry, Commissioner, Government Agency, Political Appointee, or any Arm of Government to appoint, nominate, impose, or orchestrate the emergence of leaders for any State chapter of the Council.
The group stressed that the authority to supervise, validate, and uphold electoral processes and leadership structures within State chapters rests solely with the National Executive Council and other constitutionally recognized organs of the NYCN.
It argued that any election, appointment, inauguration, or leadership arrangement carried out outside the constitutional framework of the Council and without the approval of the National Leadership remains illegal, invalid, and incapable of enjoying legitimacy.
The group further expressed concern over what it described as the activities of impostors and political actors allegedly seeking to gain legitimacy through unconstitutional means, warning that no amount of political pressure, propaganda, or media campaigns would compel the national leadership to recognize any structure established outside due process.
“Any arrangement that does not enjoy the authorization, supervision, recognition, or ratification of the National Leadership and National Executive Council of the NYCN cannot stand the test of legality and constitutional compliance,” the statement said.
The VYO South-East Zone also vowed to resist any attempt to undermine the constitution of the Council or weaken the authority of its National Leadership, insisting that the future of Youth leadership in Anambra State must not be sacrificed for personal ambitions or political interests.
Calling on Youth Organizations, Stakeholders, Traditional and Community Leaders, Government officials, security agencies, and members of the public, the group urged all concerned parties to disregard any leadership structure that does not emanate from the constitutionally recognized authorities of the NYCN.
Reaffirming its commitment to the unity, integrity, and credibility of the council, the Voluntary Youth Organizations, South-East Zone pledged to continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the National Leadership in defending constitutional order and preserving the sanctity of the NYCN across the Federation.
The latest development underscores the growing tension surrounding the leadership of the NYCN in Anambra State, as Stakeholders are hellbent on restoring legitimacy and cohesion in the Anambra State chpter of NYCN, while issuing a stern warning to those political jobbers planning on how to defraud naive individuals with the promise of installing them as kangaroo leaders of a purported faction of NYCN Anambra State chapter.
