Following the resolution of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi State Chapter, to seek clarity and an independent investigation into the Kogi East Electrification Project, the Council has observed with concern deliberate attempts by certain individuals to misrepresent a civic intervention as a partisan or personal exercise.
The decision to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was reached at a duly convened Emergency Management Meeting of the Council. It reflects the NYCN’s statutory responsibility to engage on matters of public interest, particularly where prolonged hardship, conflicting public claims, and accountability concerns exist.
While the Council will not comment on matters already submitted before competent authorities, it is necessary to provide context for members of the public who may be unfamiliar with recent developments.
It is a matter of public record that since July 2023, the Kogi State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has faced internal disruptions arising from unresolved leadership disputes, following attempts by politically interested individuals to interfere with the Council’s structure and independence.
During this period, false and misleading allegations were circulated, including claims seeking to link the Chairman of the Council, Amb. Usman Ogohi Samuel, to the Social Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 election, Alhaji Muri Ajaka, on the basis of shared ethnicity. These claims were unfounded and formed part of a broader effort to undermine the leadership and credibility of the Council.
These events resulted in sustained institutional pressure, reputational attacks, and harassment directed at the leadership of the Council.
Despite these challenges, the NYCN under the leadership of Amb. Usman Ogohi Samuel has remained focused on issue-based advocacy, institutional stability, and constructive civic engagement in line with its mandate.
For the avoidance of doubt, the present intervention is not an isolated action. In recent years, the NYCN Kogi State Chapter has consistently engaged relevant authorities and stakeholders on matters affecting citizens, including:
Structured engagements with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), formerly DPR, on fuel pricing, availability, and monitoring;
Advocacy and consultations on the regulation and pricing of sachet water (pure water) in collaboration with the Kogi State Chapter of ATWAP;
Engagements and advocacy around development interventions within the mandate areas of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), whose statutory responsibilities in Kogi State extend across nine (9) local government areas, as part of broader efforts to promote infrastructure accountability, social inclusion, and human capital development in host and impact communities.
The petition on the Kogi East Electrification Project follows this same institutional pattern. It is informed by recent public statements made by the wExecutive Governor of Kogi State, historical claims that the project was previously declared substantially completed, and the lived reality of communities that have remained without electricity for over a decade.
Pursuant to its resolution, the Council has formally submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requesting a thorough investigation to establish facts, clarify responsibilities, and determine whether any breaches of due process or misuse of public resources occurred.
At the same Management Meeting, the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, passed a unanimous vote of confidence on the State Chairman, Amb. Usman Ogohi Samuel, in recognition of his resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to institutional integrity, due process, and issue-based advocacy under challenging circumstances.
The NYCN reiterates that this action is not targeted at any individual, political office holder, or administration. It is a good-faith request for institutional review, transparency, and accountability in the public interest.
The Council urges members of the public to disregard attempts to divert attention from the substance of this matter and reassures stakeholders of its continued commitment to lawful, responsible, and transparent advocacy in the overall interest of Kogi State and its people.
Signed:
Usman Ogohi Samuel,
Chairman NYCN,
For Management,
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN)
Kogi State Chapter.
