By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – A group of senior youth leaders and former executive members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) from across the South East and South South zones have publicly distanced themselves from Comr. Solomon Adodo, who recently claimed the presidency of the council. They reaffirmed Amb. Sara-Igbe Sukubo as the duly recognised President of the NYCN.
Speaking during a press briefing held on Thursday, 10th July 2025, in Calabar, Cross River State, the leaders described Adodo’s claim to leadership as fraudulent and unconstitutional, insisting that he was never elected president.
Amb. Chidiebere Kanu, former Abia State NYCN Chairman and ex-National Deputy President to Adodo, described his former principal as a “self-acclaimed president” whose claim to office lacks legitimacy.
“What happened was that someone went somewhere, declared himself president, and began issuing appointments arbitrarily. The entire structure was built on falsehood. There was no management meeting, no non-elective congress, and no elective congress – which are key requirements to become the council’s president,” Kanu stated.
Kanu, currently serving as the NYCN Advisory Council Chairman for the South East zone, declared that he and other stakeholders had withdrawn all support from Adodo’s faction. “Let it be known that we are not part of what Adodo is doing. The authentic president remains Ambassador Sara-Igbe Sukubo,” he added.
Kanu also referenced the recent suspension of Comr. Rikki Nwajiofor, whom he said was lawfully removed through due process. “Rikki was investigated, found guilty by a panel, and his suspension was ratified by the National Executive Council (NEC). So, how can someone who has been suspended turn around to sack the president?” he questioned.
Echoing similar sentiments, Comr. (Engr.) Solomon Praise, former NYCN Vice President (South South), accused Adodo of exploiting internal weaknesses in the council to proclaim himself leader. He detailed constitutional provisions (including section 11C) that must be followed in removing or installing any national officer, noting that none were applied in Adodo’s emergence.
“No management meeting was called, no NEC sitting presided over by the appropriate authorities, and no letter of suspension was issued to the sitting President. Adodo’s actions are therefore illegal. If the structure he claims to represent was valid, it would reinstate the entire executive council, not just himself.
“Ambassador Kanu was elected as Deputy President in 2021, during the December 22nd Congress in Abuja. I was elected the Vice President of South South. So, if for any reason you’re reinstating, these are the people ordinarily you should reinstate, because the Congress does not gather to elect one person – it elects a cabinet, a complete EXCO. When the suspension
came, it affected everybody. So upon reinstatement, everybody is automatically supposed to be reinstated,” Praise stated.
Praise reaffirmed his commitment to Sukubo’s leadership, stating, “The only recognised president of the NYCN until the September elective congress is Ambassador Sara-Igbe Sukubo. We reject all claims to the contrary.”
Also speaking, Comr. Emmanuel Takon, former NYCN Social Secretary in Cross River State and a purported member of the South-South Advisory Council, denounced his inclusion in Adodo’s camp. “I was listed as number six on the advisory list without my knowledge or consent. I disassociate myself completely,” he declared.
Takon, who stressed his adherence to the NYCN’s constitution, said due process was not followed in the formation of Adodo’s advisory council. “According to Article 10(3) of the 2018 amended constitution, there is a procedure for constituting an advisory council. That procedure was ignored,” he said, calling on all youths to support Sukubo’s peaceful completion of his tenure.
In her remarks, Comr. Sandra Effefiom, NYCN Coordinator for Bakassi LGA and Chairperson of the Coordinators’ Forum in Cross River, appealed for calm and unity. “We want peace. The ongoing factional disputes discourage young women from joining the council,” she said.
Effefiom added that, “The claim by Comrade Solomon Adodo is not factual. It is a falsehood.”
The briefing concluded with a united call for Nigerian youths to remain calm and prepare for the September congress, which will usher in a new executive council.
They reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development recognises only Amb. Sukubo as the legitimate NYCN National President.
Recall that on 18th June, Comr. Adodo issued a communique, suspending Amb. Sukubo from the youth council. The communique also listed Adodo as president, and Nwajiofor and Comr. Abdulrahman Bala as Deputy President and Secretary General respectively.
