Calabar, Nigeria –Four senior stakeholders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) on Thursday convened a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State, to publicly reject the purported leadership claims of Comrade Solomon Adodo, describing him as a “self-acclaimed president” who lacks constitutional legitimacy.
Addressing journalists under the theme “On the Chicanery and Falsehood of Comrade Solomon Adodo as a Self-acclaimed National President of the NYCN,” the former NYCN South-South Vice President, Engr. Solomon Praise, led the charge against what he called a flagrant disregard for due process by Adodo and his associates.
“The constitution rightly states the conditions and procedures involved in removing a duly elected officer of the council,” said Praise, who also served as a former State Deputy Chair of NYCN Cross River. “There must first be a query, followed by a committee-led investigation. Only upon the conclusion of such inquiries can a verdict be pronounced in a properly convened NEC, SEC, or LEC session.”
According to Praise, none of these constitutional procedures were followed in Adodo’s case. “There was no management meeting called, the secretary didn’t summon any inquiry, and the deputy president didn’t preside over any disciplinary process. Yet, someone just brought a letter and claimed to be president,” he lamented.
He stressed that the presidency of Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo remains valid and recognized by the Ministry of Youth Development, and that no other leadership claim has constitutional backing. “We are distancing ourselves from such purported claims and telling Nigerian youths that the only recognized president of NYCN till the September Congress is Ambassador Sukubo,” Praise declared.
Backing this position, Comrade Chidiebere Kanu, a former Deputy National President and ex-Abia State NYCN Chairman, described Adodo’s actions as fraudulent. “The man called Comrade Solomon Adodo was never elected,” Kanu asserted. “He declared himself president and started assigning positions from his bedroom. No management meeting. No Congress. Nothing.”
Kanu called Adodo a “self-centered human being” operating on falsehood, greed, and desperation. “He should retrace his steps. He has no locus to call himself president,” he said, urging Nigerian youths to await the upcoming elective Congress in September.
Adding a female voice to the discourse, Sandra Efeffiom, Coordinator of NYCN Bakassi and Chair of the Forum of LGA Coordinators in Cross River, emphasized the need for peace and unity within the youth constituency. “The factions will not help us grow. What we want is peace and focus on unity that brings development,” she said.
Efeffiom condemned the confusion sown by the Adodo faction, asserting that it discourages women and young girls from participating in youth leadership. “The issue of Comrade Solomon Adodo, to me, is not a fact — it’s falsehood. And we don’t need things like that. All we want is peace so that we can move forward.”
Ambassador Emma Takon, a former Social Secretary of NYCN Cross River, also distanced himself from a list that included his name as part of the South-South Advisory Council linked to Adodo. “I am a peace-loving person. I disassociate myself in totality from that advisory council,” Takon declared.
He emphasized that the council must adhere strictly to the constitution. “There is a procedure to follow. That procedure was not followed. You cannot appoint me without due process.”
All four speakers reaffirmed their support for Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo as the legitimate and constitutionally recognized president of NYCN until the September 2025 elective Congress. They also warned against further acts of impersonation, suggesting that legal actions might be taken if the false claims continue.
“We cannot resort to self-help,” Praise noted. “We will go back to the judiciary, and let the courts address the matter if necessary.”
The press conference concluded with a united appeal to Nigerian youths: reject distractions, embrace peace, and prepare for a credible elective Congress in September later this year.
