Leaders of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN in Anambra State have rejected a proposed Tenure Elongation Congress slated to hold in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State later this month.
The congress, scheduled to hold on the Sunday, 20th September, 2025, seeks to extend the official age bracket of youths within the NYCN to 40 years, from the subsisting legislation which puts at 18 to 35 years.
The tenure elongation attempts have been greeted by criticisms from vary quarters, describing it as desperate attempts by forces within the Council’s hierarchy to remain in the saddle of affairs.
In a statement signed on Friday by some past Anambra State Chairmen of the NYCN, and made available to TNC correspondent in Awka, Anambra youths reaffirmed their endorsement that the official age bracket of youths within the Council remains 18 to 35 years.
They rejected any form of tenure elongation or amendment seeking to extend the age limit to 40 years.
Among the Anambra NYCN leaders who signed the statement were the pioneer state chairman, Chief Obumnike Asuzu (1996-2006), Dr Nwabufo Nwankwo (2006-2013), Comrade Frank Maduka (2013-2017) and the present State Chairman, Comrade Surveyor Obi Emeka Chukwudi.
The Anambra youths congratulated the outgoing NYCN President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, on the successful completion of his tenure.
“Sukubo was first sworn in at the Portharcourt National Congress in 2018, and was later re-elected at the Calabar Congress in 2021.
“We therefore, congratulate him on the successful completion of his tenure as NYCN National President.
“We identify with the efforts of critical Nigerian youth stakeholders, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, to prevent tenure elongation and restore sanity in the Council.
“As a matter of principle, we cannot endorse the proposed Bayelsa Tenure Elongation Congress, scheduled to hold on the 21st of September, 2025 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,” the statement said.
The Anambra Council welcomed all concerned NYCN stakeholders to Anambra State on the 26th of September for constructive engagement and progressive dialogue.
It expressed the readiness of the state to also welcome any legitimate investor seeking investment opportunities to Anambra State, insisting that the State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo is setting the pace in 21st Century governance.
“The Anambra NYCN firmly declares its support for Mr Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, and hereby endorses his re-election bid in the best interest of the continued growth and development of our dear state,” the youths concluded.
