The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Coalition of Voluntary Youth Organisations has called on President Bola Tinubu to sanction the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for his alleged interference in the council’s leadership matters.
The call came during a world press conference in Abuja when the coalition expressed its concern about what it described as the minister’s “utterances and interference” in the NYCN’s affairs.
In a communique presented by Middle Belt Youth Organisation representative Victor D. Anawo and that of Youth Consensus for Good Leadership, Samson Onoja, the coalition implicated the minister, via his Senior Special Assistant, Ms. Kehinde Awujola, of conspiring in the election that saw Comrade Babangida Onimisi Isah become NYCN president.
The team protested that after the election, the minister began supporting an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to remove the newly-elect leadership something they had termed unconstitutional and in violation of the NYCN’s guiding principles.
We are amazed that in spite of the peaceful completion of the election and emergence of new leaders, Mr. Ayodele Olawande is attempting to ferment a crisis by means of the Interim Management Committee to eliminate a democratically elected president of Nigerian youths,” the statement said.
The coalition warned that this may give rise to unrest among young Nigerians and appealed to the president to act to prevent further escalation.
While commending the minister for his zeal for youth development, the coalition cautioned that his recent actions were a potential recipe for endangering peace and harmony among Nigerian youths.
It also urged youths across the country to remain calm and peaceful and to assure the government of continued support for moves towards national stability and belonging.
“President Tinubu is urged to ensure the conduct of the minister is in line with the vision of peace and oneness for the government. Nigerian youths should be calm as we move together towards the growth of our nation,” the statement added.
