The Enugu State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has declared the purported suspension of its Chairman, Comrade Bartholomew Okoh, as null and void, insisting that the State Executive Council lacks constitutional powers to remove a duly elected leader.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency management meeting held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Enugu, which had in attendance 72 youth delegates representing faith-based organizations, uniformed bodies, local government chapters, and the State Executive Council.
The council condemned what it described as the “social media trial” of Okoh without due process, warning that such actions threaten the unity of the body.
In a major decision, the NYCN announced the indefinite suspension of its Deputy Chairman, Mr. Opu Obinna Wealth, citing “gross misconduct.”
The meeting further ratified changes to its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, now chaired by Comrade Isamade Adaeze, with a mandate to investigate allegations of misappropriation involving the Deputy Chairman and Treasurer, as well as the roles of Miss Blessing Utazi and others accused of fueling disharmony in the council.
The committee was given two weeks to submit its report.
Meanwhile, the council commended Enugu State Governor, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his “youth-friendly disposition” and commitment to people-oriented governance.
It also reaffirmed its support for the Honourable Commissioner for Youth, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, pledging continued collaboration with the ministry on youth development programs.
The communiqué, signed by Prince Orji, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, and a representative of the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON), was copied to the Enugu State Government, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, the State Police Command, as well as the EFCC and ICPC for necessary attention.
