By Eric Moore
YOUTHS in Rivers State have unanimously expressed their apologies to the governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, over comments by some youth leaders in the state, especially, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Nwisabari Bani, on the presentation of the 2025 budget to the State House of Assembly.
The youths, who disowned their chairman, also sent their apologies to the former governor of the state, Peter Odili, over attacks by the youth leader, adding that the youths of the state would always respect institutions and leaders.
The youths, who are also members of the NYCN dissociated themselves from the comments by their State chairman, Bani , against the duo, noting that the comments by their leader were malicious and provocative.
The youths, who are executive members of NYCN, disclosed this in a statement after its emergency meeting to deliberate on some urgent State issues.
Among the signatories of statement were Adokiye Aderika, Deputy Chairman, Richard Egbelekro, Secretary General and Brown Loretta, Rivers South/East.
They noted that the comments against the governor and Odili were not products of collective decision of the leadership of the youth body in the state, alleging that Bani is bent on derailing leadership in the state.
The statement read: “The statement issued by Nwisabari and his cohorts at a press conference in Port Harcourt sponsored by some detractors of the Governor is malicious and highly provocative.
“We vehemently condemn his disrespectful and uncomplimentary remarks against the governor, and an elder statesman and former governor of Rivers State Dr. Peter Odili.
“The statement was not a product of collective decision by members of the State Executives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria but a malicious opinion of Comr. Nwisabari and his paymasters, who are hell-bent to derail governance in Rivers State, create instability, and truncate constitutional democracy in the State.
“His statement does not reflect the core values of moral rectitude, honor, reverence, humility, obedience and respect for elders and constituted authorities which the National Youth Council of Nigeria uphold.”
The statement further noted that Bani has been in an unhealthy romance with those interested in distracting the governor of the state, adding that Governor Fubara acted within the ambit of the law in the budget presentation.
They maintained: “We have not mandated him to be criticizing the Governor of Rivers State and disrespecting elders of the State. At the appropriate time, we shall take necessary disciplinary action against him in line with the constitution of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
“We strongly believe that Governor Fubara acted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended in his presentation of the 2025 Budget before the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.
“We are aware that the issue of the authentic Rivers State House of Assembly following the defection of 27 lawmakers is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court, which is the final court.
“Rivers State cannot be at a standstill but has to move on with the 2025 Budget, pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the authentic Rivers State House of Assembly.
“We wish to warn Comrade Nwisabari and his cohorts to stop using the State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria as a platform to attack the Rivers State Governor, thereby portraying the organization in bad light. The NYCN is non-partisan and should not be dragged into the current political happenings in Rivers State.”