The Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Glory Effiong, has suspended the planned election of the Mkpanak Youth Development Association (MYDA) and directed security agencies to arrest anyone who attempts to conduct or participate in the exercise.
The directive, issued on Tuesday, followed what Ms Effiong described as a report from the Mkpanak Village Council concerning the planned election.
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Ms Effiong posted the statement on her Facebook page.
Mkpanak is a major coastal town and community located in the area. It serves as a key administrative and residential hub in Ibeno, sitting near major oil and gas operational areas.
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In the directive, copied to the paramount ruler of Ibeno, village heads, the divisional police officer, the State Security Services and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ibeno Chapter, Ms Effiong said the election was suspended “until further notice.”
She warned that “any person or group of persons who attempts to conduct, facilitate, or participate in the said election in defiance of this directive shall be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The council chair also directed all village youth presidents in Ibeno to operate only within their respective villages and collaborate with the NYCN on youth development matters.
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She further instructed security agencies to “remain vigilant and ensure the strict enforcement of this directive,” saying it was issued “in the interest of peace, public safety, unity, and the maintenance of law and order.”
Electoral committee pushes back
The directive has, however, been rejected by the electoral committee organising the poll.
In a public notice posted Tuesday in the comment section of Ms Effiong’s Facebook post by a Facebook user identified as Vernatious McCaig Buller, the committee insisted that the election would proceed as scheduled.
PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately verify whether Mr Buller is the chairman of the electoral committee, although the notice was signed by the “Chairman, Electoral Committee, Mkpanak Youth Development Association.”
The committee argued that MYDA is registered with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth Development and that its internal affairs are governed by its constitution.
Citing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution, it maintained that the local government lacks the legal authority to interfere in the association’s internal election.
“The Electoral Committee hereby confirms that the internal election of Mkpanak Youth Development Association will proceed according to the already published timeline,” the notice stated.
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It also accused the council chairman of political interference, insisting that “such interference has no legal backing and will not be succumbed to.”
The committee said it had notified the local government, the police, the State Security Service and the Ministry of Youth Development of the election and warned that it would seek judicial enforcement of its fundamental rights if the interference persisted.
PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Ms Effiong to get her reason for suspending the election.
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