The recent dissolution of the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) executive by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has stirred debate within the Itsekiri community, with INYC Adviser Comrade Emiko Oghomienor challenging the monarch’s authority to make such a decision.
The Olu of Warri announced the dissolution at his palace, citing the INYC’s alleged failure to adopt a new constitution and conduct elections.
In response, the palace appointed leaders from the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and the National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) to draft a new INYC constitution, with Chiefs Omolubi Newuwumi and Wilson Olley serving as advisers to the committee.
However, Oghomienor argued that only the INYC’s Board of Trustees has the constitutional power to dissolve the council’s leadership.
He stated that the current executive, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro and Acting President Comrade Godwin Utieyin, is set to serve until December 2024, with established procedures governing any potential dissolution.
“The Olu of Warri is traditionally presented with INYC leadership for royal blessing, but does not oversee its election process,” Oghomienor said, emphasizing that INYC’s creation came from the vision of patriotic Itsekiri leaders independent of the monarchy’s influence.
He affirmed that the current leadership would complete its term, with future elections to follow the council’s existing constitution, allowing for any necessary amendments.
The development highlights differing perspectives within the Itsekiri community on the role of traditional authority in youth organization governance, underscoring ongoing efforts to maintain INYC’s autonomy.
According to the new development,
“In the interim, the Palace has immediately appointed Presidents of the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates and National Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) as the core of a committee to draft a new constitution for INYC, with Chief Omolubi Newuwumi and Chief Wilson Olley working as Advisers”, the announcement stated.
But reacting through a statement on Tuesday, Oghomienor, maintained that only the Board of Trustees of INYC is statutorily empowered to dissolve the association.
He said :” Even the Board of Trustees of INYC, which is constitutional empowered to dissolve exco of the body, has laid down procedures that must be followed, whenever the necessity arises.
“In this instance, there’s no need to announce dissolution of the current leadership of INYC, led by Comrade Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro, with Comrade Godwin Utieyin Acting as President. The tenure of the current INYC leadership terminates December 2024, which is barely two months away, one now wonders the bases on which the purported dissolution was announced. ”
“The issue that was on ground for days, was exploring ways to amend the existing constitution of INYC, not drafting a new constitution as being insinuated.
“The Olu of Warri, right from the inception of INYC, is only presented with leadership of the body for royal blessing, not determining the process of electing INYC executive.
“For the records, INYC was birthed as a result critical circumstances, by very mature, patriotic and forward thinking Itsekiris, it’s not a body for children or inexperienced youths.”
Oghomienor, emphasized: “I am not aware of any ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta or other parts of Nigeria, where traditional rulers or institutions, delve into the election of youth executive for ethnic nationalities.
“The current leadership of INYC, will see their tenure through and election of new exco, will be done in – line with the existing constitution of INYC, subject to further amendments.”