By Samuel Marshall with additional reports by Beauty David Nteugot
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and the Coalition of Rivers State Youth Bodies (CORYB) have sounded a strong warning over what they described as destabilising political manoeuvres threatening the unity of youth organisations in Rivers State.
At a joint press conference held on Monday, 26th January, 2026, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, the youth bodies accused a splinter faction of orchestrating an illegitimate leadership crisis within the NYCN. The atmosphere was charged with youthful solidarity as members chanted, “Build the Youth, Build the Nation.”
Addressing the gathering, the NYCN State Chairman, Comrade Gift Jumbo, flanked by leaders including Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar (CORYB Chairman), Comrade Idawari David Apiafi (NYCN Secretary), Comrade Gospel Okporo (Public Relations Officer), Comrade Glory Sunday (Treasurer), and several Local Government Coordinators, condemned what she termed an “ill-conceived impeachment plot” allegedly aimed at weakening the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara through the manipulation of youth structures.
Comrade Jumbo dismissed the rival leadership announced by the dissenting faction in 2025 as unconstitutional, insisting that her tenure – lawfully commenced on 25th November, 2025 – runs until 2027. She warned that those behind the splinter group would face serious institutional consequences, accusing them of diverting over 600 bags of rice and undisclosed funds meant for Rivers youths.
She further disclosed that her office had been forcibly ransacked and cautioned against any further intrusion.
While reaffirming loyalty to the state government, Jumbo expressed dismay over the governor’s prolonged silence, despite repeated attempts by the youth leadership to secure an audience.
In his remarks, Comrade Saviour Oscar called for immediate security intervention and urged the dissenting faction to return all allegedly stolen materials. He linked the crisis to divisive political elements and reaffirmed the commitment of Rivers youths to support Governor Fubara’s administration and his anticipated 2027 political project.
NYCN Secretary, Comrade Apiafi, warned against the manipulation of the youth body for partisan ends, stressing that the organisation’s byelaws clearly provide that the Deputy Chairman assumes leadership in the event of a formal resignation of the Chairman, referring to the earlier resignation of Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo.
At the close of the briefing, NYCN and CORYB jointly appealed to Governor Fubara, in his capacity as Grand Patron, to formally engage the legitimate leadership of the NYCN in Rivers State, describing such intervention as vital to sustaining peace, unity, and effective youth mobilisation in Rivers State while declaring unwavering support for Comrade Gift Jumbo.
