…We were given the mandate to conduct free, fair and credible election, Says Igeri
The Edo State Electoral Committee and the Congress Planning Committee of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN), Edo State chapter have dissociated themselves from any purported election of the council that was alleged to have taken place at S&T Barrack, Usulu in Egor local government area of Edo State.
While addressing newsmen Benin City on behalf of the 14 member committees, Chairman of the Electoral Committees and Congress Planning Committee, Comrade Dove Igeri and Comrade Jolly Osahon respectively said they were never party to the purported election.
According to Dove Igeri, electoral materials such as; ballot boxes, result sheets, ballot papers, and certificate would be procured by the leadership of National Youth Council for all State and National Elections, and as such the committee that are given the mandate to conduct Edo State NYCN election has not be furnished all the materials to enable its conduct the election.
Part of the statement reads, “Consequent upon recent development and in compliance with Article 11.3.3, xxiv, of the 2018 NYCN Constitution as amended; Electoral materials such as; ballot boxes, result sheets, ballot papers, and certificate would be procured by the leadership of National Youth Council for all State and National Elections.
“Furtherance to the above directive from the Constitution, it’s become clear that neither us as State Electoral Committee nor any other body whatsoever aside the National can provide or procure Electoral materials for this Congress/Election. Though having been empowered with a mandate to conduct a free and fair election, our experiences as Electoral Committee members never has been experienced in recent times in the Youth Council history.
“Election is only possible if all necessary and important instrument for such conducts are made, but as we write with dismay expressing issues and brick walls encountered so far, we are yet to receive any funding or take off for our duties to go effective. We are amongst others as Electoral Committee to at least screen and publish list and names of cleared or shortlisted Candidates at least a day before the election due date.
“As we write this publication, we are yet to receive or with the hope to getting such materials from the National body and we are without doubts sure not to receiving such materials as we have received a letter from the National body of a National Management meeting currently on going at Port Harcourt and the provision, of Constitution in Article 3 is to the effect that the decision of the National is supreme in times of conflict between States and National, clearly stating that the Constitution shall be supreme and has a binding effects over all By-laws enacted by State, Local Government, Ward, Units and Constitution of all member organizations, stating further; “where any By-laws of a State Chapter or Local Government Branch…or standing order of the National Executive Council conflicts with this constitution, this constitution shall prevail and that other Bye-law, constitution or standing order shall to the extent of that inconsistent.
Going further, Comrade “As law abiding citizens and respecter of the law and order, we cannot for any reason disobey duly constituted authority or the Constitution as such, I must do that which the Constitution, from which authority my office is born.
“Lastly, Article 11.3.3 clearly states the functions of the Electoral Committee, as such, we have read and understood our functions and are making sure we follow it strictly, diligently and with a human face, wish to advice those who think they have authority, to please allow us do our job and trust us too accordingly. Consequent in the above, we can confidently say, for a successful, peaceful, and best election of the National Youth Council of Nigeria Edo State, we call for the postponement of the election while we await a Management meeting to fix a new date.”