The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has inaugurated a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of its Nasarawa State chapter following a court order that halted its planned elective congress.
The decision was announced at a press conference in Lafia on Saturday by the NYCN National President, Amb. Sara-Igbe Sukubo, who was represented by the Deputy National President, Amb. Innocent Nduanya.
According to the NYCN, the appointment of Comrade Solomon Damina-John as chairman of the caretaker committee is in response to a Nasarawa State High Court’s interim injunction, which temporarily stopped the congress scheduled for May 10.
“The appointment takes immediate effect, pending further notice and the resolution of the ongoing litigation regarding the elective congress of the NYCN in the state,” Nduanya stated.
The Council explained that the move was necessary to prevent a leadership vacuum while legal proceedings over the congress are ongoing.
In a related development, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development also suspended the congress in compliance with the court directive.
A statement issued by Dr. Ibrahim Alhassan, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, on behalf of the Commissioner, Mr. Yakubu Kwanta, confirmed the suspension of the electoral exercise. The suspension follows an interim injunction by the State High Court sitting in Keffi, which restrained the conduct of the congress after an ex-parte motion was filed by Muhammad Jaafar-Loko and seven others.
Dr. Alhassan further revealed that another case is pending at the State High Court in Obi, instituted by former Council Chairman, Comrade Idris Ojoko, who is challenging what he described as his illegal removal from office.
He emphasized that the ministry’s decision was in line with the principle of the rule of law and in a bid to maintain peace, consistent with the policy direction of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration.
The NYCN reiterated its commitment to upholding legality and due process in resolving internal issues and assured stakeholders that further updates would be provided as the situation develops.
