The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has moved to clarify its position following the circulation of a controversial press statement claiming that Mr. Collins Osazee Idahosa had been expelled from the council and stripped of any affiliation with its purported diaspora structure.
The statement, which was issued under the banner of the “NYCN Diaspora Alliance,” generated reactions across youth and diaspora circles after it alleged that Idahosa had been removed from the council and no longer represented NYCN in any capacity.
However, emerging responses from top officials of the council have cast serious doubt on the authenticity and authority of the publication.
Speaking on the issue, NYCN South-South Vice President, Innocent Ajayi, maintained that the statement was not issued by the National Youth Council of Nigeria and should not be regarded as an official communication of the organisation.
Ajayi further questioned the standing of the body behind the publication, stating that the so-called NYCN Diaspora Alliance is not recognised within the constitutional framework of the council.
According to him, official positions of the NYCN can only emanate from duly authorised organs and officers of the organisation, stressing that disciplinary actions involving members or office holders must follow established procedures and be communicated through recognised channels.
The controversy deepened after the National President of NYCN, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, reportedly indicated that he was unaware of the press statement and did not authorise its release.
Sources familiar with the development disclosed that when the President’s attention was drawn to the publication, he directed that the matter be followed up, a response widely interpreted as a sign that the statement did not originate from his office or from the national leadership of the council.
The President’s position has fueled questions about the source of the publication and the authority under which it was issued, especially given the weighty claims it contained regarding the status of Collins Osazee Idahosa.
Observers say the development highlights growing concerns over the proliferation of unofficial statements being circulated in the name of youth organisations, often creating confusion among members, stakeholders and the public.
With both the South-South Vice President and the National President distancing the council from the publication, attention has now shifted to establishing the legitimacy of the purported Diaspora Alliance and the basis upon which it issued the disputed statement.
As of the time of filing this report, no official disciplinary notice against Collins Osazee Idahosa had been issued through recognised NYCN national communication channels.
The council has therefore urged members and stakeholders to rely solely on verified communications from its authorised leadership structures, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of undermining the integrity of the organisation.
