The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State chapter, has dismissed allegations against the state government regarding the selection of delegates for the upcoming National Youth Conference.
The rebuttal came in response to claims by the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens (CCNC) that the State Commissioner for Youth, Moshood Olagunju, manipulated the delegate list by replacing their nominee and inserting political appointees.
During a press briefing in Osogbo, NYCN Chairman Akinbode Oluwasegun, backed by other youth bodies including NANS Osun JCC and the Nigerian Youth Parliament, stated that all organisations, including CCNC, were fairly represented. He described the CCNC’s allegations as unfounded and misleading.
Oluwasegun emphasized that the selection process followed federal guidelines, ensuring equal gender representation. He said the CCNC initially requested four slots but could not provide female nominees, prompting concerns. “The commissioner adhered strictly to the selection rules,” he said.
He condemned a protest held by the CCNC on June 24 at the State Secretariat, describing the group as unregistered and their actions as disruptive. He lauded Governor Ademola Adeleke for promoting youth inclusion and warned against politicising youth representation.