Ukorebi Esien | July 6, 2025
CALABAR — The leadership crisis rocking the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Cross River State took a new twist over the weekend as prominent stakeholders of the Cross River State chapter dismissed claims of any recent national election, reaffirming that the tenure of the current NYCN National President, Amb. Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo remains valid until September 2025.
Speaking in separate interviews during a stakeholders' meeting held at the Youth House in Calabar, Comrade Ndiyo Ndiyo, former State Chairman and current Spokesperson to the National President, debunked widespread reports suggesting that a new national leadership had emerged were Comrade Daniel Obo ermeged as VP South South.
"There is no new leadership in the National Youth Council of Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Youth wrote to President Sukubo, acknowledging the expiration of his tenure in September and mandated preparations for a national congress. A Congress Planning Committee (CPC) and Electoral College have already been constituted. Until that congress is held in September, there is no vacancy at the top," Ndiyo asserted.
Ndiyo also clarified that the last valid NYCN election was the Unity Congress held in September 2021 in Calabar, which harmonized all factions and gave Ambassador Sukubo a four-year mandate that will expire in September 2025.
Responding to the claim by Comrade Dan Obo, immediate past Cross River NYCN chairman and current Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilization, that he had been elected as the South-South Vice President of the Council, Ndiyo described such assertions as baseless and illegal.
"How can someone claim to be elected when no congress has been held, and there's no endorsement from the State Chairman as required by the NYCN Constitution? Dan Obo was brought into office by this same president he now claims no longer exists. This contradiction is a clear reflection of inconsistency," he said.
Ndiyo also recounted several instances of political inconsistency on the part of Dan Obo, accusing him of shifting allegiances for personal gain.
"This is a young man who left Owan Enoh to follow Usani Usani, only to abandon Usani midway and run as Deputy Governor candidate for SDP. He later dumped the SDP and defected to the APC just before the election. I even chaired his defection planning committee. The pattern is clear," Ndiyo emphasized.
In a passionate rebuttal, Hon. OJ Coretta, immediate past Secretary of the Advisory Council and a stakeholder from the Central Senatorial District, condemned Dan Obo's actions and distanced the Central zone from his ambition.
"We only recognize one leadership in Cross River NYCN, and that is Comrade Emmanuel Olayi. No national office can be validly occupied without the endorsement of the State Chairman. Dan Obo's so-called election is illegal," he stated.
Coretta also revealed that the embattled ex-chairman had benefited significantly from Senator Eteng Williams, whom he now allegedly opposes.
"Eteng gave him money to bury his father, provided a live cow, paid his rent, and supported him in every way. Yet today, he turns around to attack the same senator. He has never won any election on his own, not even in his polling unit," Coretta said.
Both leaders affirmed that Cross River State is well-positioned to produce the next NYCN South-South Vice President but emphasized that it would be pursued through legitimate means during the September Congress.
"There is no position like South-South Vice President from Cross River as of now. We are prepared for Congress, and we will clinch that seat legally," Ndiyo declared.
They called on youths in the state to remain calm and focused, urging them not to be distracted by selfish political games but to support the leadership of Comrade Emmanuel Olayi in projecting the interest of Cross River youths nationally.
"There is only one NYCN in Cross River State, and we are going to the National Congress united and prepared," Ndiyo concluded.
CALABAR — The leadership crisis rocking the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Cross River State took a new twist over the weekend as prominent stakeholders of the Cross River State chapter dismissed claims of any recent national election, reaffirming that the tenure of the current NYCN National President, Amb. Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo remains valid until September 2025.
Speaking in separate interviews during a stakeholders' meeting held at the Youth House in Calabar, Comrade Ndiyo Ndiyo, former State Chairman and current Spokesperson to the National President, debunked widespread reports suggesting that a new national leadership had emerged were Comrade Daniel Obo ermeged as VP South South.
"There is no new leadership in the National Youth Council of Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Youth wrote to President Sukubo, acknowledging the expiration of his tenure in September and mandated preparations for a national congress. A Congress Planning Committee (CPC) and Electoral College have already been constituted. Until that congress is held in September, there is no vacancy at the top," Ndiyo asserted.
Ndiyo also clarified that the last valid NYCN election was the Unity Congress held in September 2021 in Calabar, which harmonized all factions and gave Ambassador Sukubo a four-year mandate that will expire in September 2025.
Responding to the claim by Comrade Dan Obo, immediate past Cross River NYCN chairman and current Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilization, that he had been elected as the South-South Vice President of the Council, Ndiyo described such assertions as baseless and illegal.
"How can someone claim to be elected when no congress has been held, and there's no endorsement from the State Chairman as required by the NYCN Constitution? Dan Obo was brought into office by this same president he now claims no longer exists. This contradiction is a clear reflection of inconsistency," he said.
Ndiyo also recounted several instances of political inconsistency on the part of Dan Obo, accusing him of shifting allegiances for personal gain.
"This is a young man who left Owan Enoh to follow Usani Usani, only to abandon Usani midway and run as Deputy Governor candidate for SDP. He later dumped the SDP and defected to the APC just before the election. I even chaired his defection planning committee. The pattern is clear," Ndiyo emphasized.
In a passionate rebuttal, Hon. OJ Coretta, immediate past Secretary of the Advisory Council and a stakeholder from the Central Senatorial District, condemned Dan Obo's actions and distanced the Central zone from his ambition.
"We only recognize one leadership in Cross River NYCN, and that is Comrade Emmanuel Olayi. No national office can be validly occupied without the endorsement of the State Chairman. Dan Obo's so-called election is illegal," he stated.
Coretta also revealed that the embattled ex-chairman had benefited significantly from Senator Eteng Williams, whom he now allegedly opposes.
"Eteng gave him money to bury his father, provided a live cow, paid his rent, and supported him in every way. Yet today, he turns around to attack the same senator. He has never won any election on his own, not even in his polling unit," Coretta said.
Both leaders affirmed that Cross River State is well-positioned to produce the next NYCN South-South Vice President but emphasized that it would be pursued through legitimate means during the September Congress.
"There is no position like South-South Vice President from Cross River as of now. We are prepared for Congress, and we will clinch that seat legally," Ndiyo declared.
They called on youths in the state to remain calm and focused, urging them not to be distracted by selfish political games but to support the leadership of Comrade Emmanuel Olayi in projecting the interest of Cross River youths nationally.
"There is only one NYCN in Cross River State, and we are going to the National Congress united and prepared," Ndiyo concluded.
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