The protracted leadership tussle that has plagued the Coordinators’ forum of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Cross River State, has been brought to an end, as Local Government Coordinators across the state unanimously affirmed Comr. Henry Offiong as Chairman of the Forum against Comr. Sandra Effefiong whose earlier emergence conflicted with the constitutional process of the Youth council of Nigeria.
The decisive resolution was reached on Wednesday during a crucial meeting convened at Planet Guest House, Calabar, by the Forum’s Secretary, Comr. Ekpe Balimwor, where fourteen Coordinators attended physically, while four others participated via telephone. Together, they threw their weight behind Offiong, effectively consolidating his mandate and closing four months of internal wrangling.
The decision also reaffirmed the earlier consensus of the Southern Senatorial District Coordinators, who had, on September 15, 2025, unanimously endorsed Offiong at their stakeholders’ meeting held at the Airport field in calabar.
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Addressing the Coordinators, Secretary of the Forum, Comr. Balimwor, stressed the importance of the resolution. “The leadership vacuum of the last four months created a serious lacuna that slowed our collective progress and weakened grassroots impact, Today’s adoption restores cohesion and positions the Forum to deliver on its mandate across all Local Government chapters,” he explained.
In his acceptance speech, Comr. Offiong expressed deep gratitude to his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him. “This mandate is not about one individual but about collective responsibility. I assure you of transparent, inclusive, and accountable leadership that will reposition this Forum and strengthen the wider NYCN structure in Cross River State,” he declared.
The affirmation drew commendation from other Coordinators. A Southern Senatorial District representative, Comr. Seeker Otu, Coordinator of Akamkpa local Government area, hailed the development as timely and unifying. “We needed to put the divisions behind us. With this consensus, the Forum can now focus on programs that will truly benefit the youths of Cross River State,” He said.
From the Central Senatorial District, Comr. Mbeh Victor, coordinator of Etung Local Government area also applauded the decision. “The unity displayed here is proof that we are ready to work as one. The distractions are over; our energy must now be channelled toward progress,” he remarked.
Coordinators from southern Senatorial District said the resolution is as a watershed moment for the Coordinators’ Forum. By closing ranks and affirming a single leader, the Forum is expected to regain momentum, foster unity among the Council’s grassroots structures, and redirect its focus to youth development initiatives across the state.
