The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has disassociated itself from the purported endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari for re-election during the February 16, 2019 polls.

NYCN President Bello Shagari said in a statement that the endorsement by a group led by one Sukubo Saraigbe Sokubo was done without the knowledge or approval of the NYCN leadership.

“We also wish to state categorically clear that we have nothing against the President and we will continue to work for the progress of this administration,” Shagari said, adding:

“It is pertinent to note, that the National Youth Council of Nigeria as an umbrella body of the Nigerian Youth is a non-partisan organisation and thereby cannot indulge into partisan politics. It is unconstitutional and unethical. It will be unfair to do so on behalf of the entire Nigerian youth without consulting the young people of Nigeria who belong to different political parties.

“Since our emergence on 24th July 2018 in an election supervised by the Ministry for Youth & Sports Development, we have been working hard to reposition the council and save it from further degradation.

“As a result our leadership has been faced with opposition by some government cronies, businessmen and top politicians who have been working tirelessly to spoil our efforts and that of the Minister for Youth & Sports Development by jeopardising our leadership for their personal gains.

“That is what led the Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo group to purport a kangaroo court order claiming that our EXCO have been dissolved so that they can perpetuate their illegality. Whereas, neither my EXCO, nor the National Youth Council have been joined in the so called court order. And the purported order did not also confer leadership on anybody. Those who entered the case are also not members of the youth council neither does a court in Nasarawa has the jurisdiction to hear the matter of our election which was a National election held in Gombe.

“The so called Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo who refers to himself as the President of the Council is neither here nor there as he describes himself both as the Chairman of Rivers State and President of the National Body at the same time. Therefore he is none. And for the avoidance of doubt, he is not a member of the NYCN but rather an impostor.”

Shagari in the statement declared that NYCN is under threat. “Hence, we charge the presidency and other agencies to quickly disassociate themselves with the activities of Sokubo Saraigbe Sokubo criminal group and to save the youth council from further embarrassment,” he said.

“We also want charge the presidency to investigate and checkmate those within and without the government who are spending their resources endlessly to create division among the Nigerian youth.

“The leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria under me will continue to be non-partisan, all inclusive, responsive and will continue to work to protect the integrity and credibility of the organisation in the overall interest Nigerian youth,” the statement further said.