NYCN: Controversy As Obudu Chapter Fails To Elect Executives

By Mary Bassey

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The Obudu chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, on Saturday failed to elect new executives over alleged interference by the Cross River State Government officials.

Videos obtained by CrossRiverWatch show youths holding placards with inscriptions that elections must hold. In one of the videos, a yet-to-be-identified person claimed that elections were billed to hold but stalled due to interference from “Calabar,” which refers to State actors.

The Council Chairman, Mr. Eraye Ewhe, and the Special Adviser, Governor’s office, and Events Management to the State Government, Mr. Kenn Aklah was mentioned in the video.

But, while Mr. Ewhe said he did not care who emerged as NYCN Obudu Chapter Chairman, Mr. Aklah said he had little or no business with the election to even think of interfering.

“I don’t know what made them say that since they are dragging my name, I am going to challenge them now to bring forth anybody and let them design a program to solve the problem of cultism,” Mr. Ewhe, who sounded upset, told CrossRiverWatch.

Mr. Ewhe, who was angry over the matter, said he will still not interfere in the election, and that he is prepared to work with everyone to ensure the best for the Council.

Mr. Allah said, “I wasn’t even close to the venue of the election. I did not even use that route, I don’t know why anyone would think such, to gain what?”
When asked why his name was mentioned, he said he had no idea.

However, he disclosed that two aspirants for the position of Chairman from Ipong ward visited his residence and sought his advice which he gave them.

“They came to my house and I said since both are from the same Ipong ward, to boost their chances of winning, they should reach a consensus else another person will get the position if the person is not facing a similar challenge, they agreed and that was it,” Aklah revealed.

Furthermore, the duo wondered why anyone would associate them with the failure of the NYCN to conduct its election, especially as they were not seeking any political gratification, position and even if that were the case, the NYCN, being a non-partisan organization wouldn’t have aided their emergence as candidates.

But, the State NYCN Chairman, Daniel Obo had a different view.

He told CrossRiverWatch that the protest, “shows that the youths are ready to support the Government, and to make Cross River State stand out.”

On the election, he averred that “the board is supposed to come together to make a decision which will warrant if the election will still hold but of course, we are supposed to conduct election in all the 18 Local Government Areas in Cross River State, so definitely the election will still take place.”