NYCN stakeholders petition Governor Sule over Permanent Secretary’s undue interference, unconstitutional dissolution of executive members
The Nasarawa State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), stakeholders led by Comrade Muhammed Jaafar Loko, has submitted a petition to Governor Abdullahi Sule and relevant state agencies to check excesses of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. The petition aims to stop undue interference in youth activities and to prevent factionalization of the council by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Comrade Jaafar Loko also said the youth in Nasarawa State have shown strong support for Governor Abdullahi Sule, endorsing his re-election bid due to his efforts in youth empowerment, including programs like the Youth Revolving Funds Scheme, skills acquisition centers, and youth employment initiatives.
The NYCN and other youth groups have praised his administration for creating opportunities that improve youth welfare and called for continued support to sustain these gains.
The petition is below:
His Excellency,
Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule Executive Governor,
Nasarawa State.
Your Excellency Sir,
PETITION AGAINST THE DISSOLUTION OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (NYCN)
Your Excellency may be aware that on 7th February 2025, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development announced the dissolution of the State Executive Council of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), led by me.
Your Excellency may also recall that you approved the conduct of the election of State officials of the Council on December 15, 2022, which is expected to last for four (4) years.
This election was also certified by the Vice President, North Central of the Council (Amb. Akoshile Muktar), who the Council’s Constitution empowers to oversee the activities of the Council within the zone, including the election of State officials and report back to the National Executive Council.
Even though the decision of the Permanent Secretary was illegal, provocative, and morally flawed, we have remained calm and refused to react in any way because we have always been champions of peaceful co-existence and orderliness.
We therefore felt compelled as patriotic citizens and youth leaders in the state to maintain decorum and resist any temptation to engage in any form of confrontation with the Ministry and the Permanent Secretary in particular.
Your Excellency may note that the Permanent Secretary attributed his decision to the division of the Council into two factions and abuse of office.
Consequently, the Permanent Secretary proceeded to appoint a caretaker Chairman foisted by external forces and the inclusion of individuals who have played various roles in polarizing the Council into a caretaker Committee.
This does not support the claim of the Ministry to restore order and stability. This is an attempt to further destabilize whatever is left of the Council, but for the maturity that we have demonstrated so far.
Article 9, 2 of the National Youth Council of Nigeria Constitution 2018 stipulates that Officers of the Council must be democratically elected in a Congress OR A CARETAKER COMMITTEE SET UP IN A PROPERLY CONVENED STATE MANAGEMENT MEETING OR A CONGRESS, with specific tenure as spelt out in this Constitution or State Bye-Law. By this, it is clear that only a properly convened state management meeting can set up a state caretaker committee.
This implies that neither the Ministry nor the Permanent Secretary has the power to dissolve an elected Executive Council.
We find it deeply concerning that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, leveraged on the absence of a Commissioner in the Ministry within the period initiated the dissolution of the duly constituted State Executive Council of NYCN. This action is not only inappropriate but also unconstitutional, as the Ministry has no legal authority to interfere in the internal affairs of the Council, especially dissolution.
Arising from the foregoing, a purported management committee meeting was held on Wednesday, 30th April 2025, where the illegal and unrecognized caretaker committee took a decision to conduct an election and even zoned the position to the Nasarawa Northern zone.
This is an aberration and amounts to building “something on nothing.”
Your Excellency, it is imperative to also inform you that Article 12 of the Constitution of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (2018 as amended) specifically addresses the dissolution of the Executive Council and inconclusive congresses, stating that “No government or external body outside the Youth Council has the constitutional powers to dissolve the Executive Council at any level of the Youth Council.”
The action of the Permanent Secretary directly contradicts this constitutional provision and, if left unchecked, could create unnecessary confusion and disunity among the youth constituency in the state.
The leadership of NYCN under me remains duly elected and recognized in accordance with the constitution, and any attempt to undermine this leadership without due process is a violation of the Council’s governing principles.
Your Excellency, the NYCN remains committed to partnering with your administration to advance youth development and empowerment in Nasarawa State. We trust in your commitment to upholding the rule of law and fostering peace among the youths of Nasarawa State. We look forward to your swift action in addressing this matter to maintain stability within the NYCN.
Prayer:
In light of this, we respectfully request Your Excellency’s urgent intervention to:
1. Reaffirm the autonomy of NYCN and ensure that no government official or institution
interferes in its leadership structure.
2. Call the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary to order and direct the Ministry to
desist from further unlawful interference in the affairs of the Council.
Yours in Nation Building,
Comr. Jaafar Muhammad Loko
NYCN Chairman,
Nasarawa State
CC:
Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State.
Chairman House Committee on Youth & Sport, NSHA.
Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State (SSG).
