By Zailani Mustapha The Arewa Youth Congress (AYC), one of Northern Nigeria's most prominent youth platforms, has thrown its full weig...
By Zailani Mustapha
The Arewa Youth Congress (AYC), one of Northern Nigeria's most prominent youth platforms, has thrown its full weight behind the recent actions taken by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in addressing the protracted leadership crisis within the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the AYC commended the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, and the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, for their "decisive and courageous" steps, including the withdrawal of NYCN’s registration certificate and the nullification of all contested leadership claims.
The Congress further applauded the constitution of an Interim Management Committee (IMC), describing it as a "necessary and lawful intervention" that aligns with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. According to the AYC, the move demonstrates the federal government’s renewed commitment to restoring sanity, legality, and accountability within Nigeria’s apex youth body.
“We believe this marks a critical turning point for the NYCN and the broader youth constituency,” said Amb. Hassan Sadau, Speaker of the Arewa Youth Congress. “These bold actions have given hope to millions of young Nigerians who are yearning for credible, inclusive, and accountable leadership.”
AYC, however, emphasised that justice would not be fully served without adherence to the long-standing rotational leadership tradition of the NYCN, which now favours the North for the next presidency of the Council.
“In the spirit of fairness and equity, the presidency of the NYCN must return to the North,” the group insisted. “The region has no shortage of credible, visionary, and patriotic youths ready to reposition the Council and steer it back to its founding ideals of unity, inclusion, and service.”
The AYC also condemned any attempts, real or perceived, to unlawfully extend the tenure of the current NYCN leadership, describing such moves as unconstitutional and divisive. It warned stakeholders both within and outside the Council to refrain from obstructing the transition process being championed by the CAC and the Ministry.
“We reject any kangaroo arrangement aimed at subverting due process,” the group stated. “The youth constituency will not tolerate backdoor deals or power retention strategies that lack legal or moral justification.”
The Arewa Youth Congress called on the Interim Management Committee to ensure a transparent, inclusive, and law-abiding process that would lead to a new leadership for the NYCN. It urged all youth groups, regional bodies, and civil society actors to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to reform and reposition the Council.
“The time has come for NYCN to rediscover its soul,” the statement concluded. “And the Arewa region stands ready with tested and trusted leaders to lead that process.”
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