Untold Stories Behind the Suspension of Ikwo Noyo Youth Forum Election

The much-anticipated election of the Ikwo Noyo Youth Consultative Forum, initially scheduled for July 12, 2025, has been suspended amid a wave of internal crises, alleged constitutional violations, and mounting pressure from concerned members and stakeholders.

What began as a routine leadership transition has now spiraled into a storm of allegations and legal ambiguities, exposing deep cracks within the organization’s structure and governance.

Sources within the Forum revealed that tensions had been simmering since March 2025, when the executive committee led by Dr. Onyechi Nwankwo failed to initiate the formation of an electoral committee as mandated by the constitution. Instead, the leadership allegedly pushed to alter key provisions of the Forum’s constitution—just two months before the end of their three-year term.

According to the Forum’s constitution, amendments are only allowed once every four years and must be passed by a two-thirds majority at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held every December 27. However, in a controversial move, the executive reportedly convened a quarterly meeting where Sections 16(d), 16(e), and 18(2) of the constitution were altered without the approval of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or the involvement of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

“This was a clear violation,” said a concerned member of the Forum. “The constitution is not a plaything. It clearly states in Section 30(1) and 30(ii) that no amendments can occur within four years of adoption, and any changes must go through the CAC.”

As pressure mounted, the leadership went ahead to constitute an electoral committee during an emergency general meeting on July 3. The committee then hurriedly released guidelines and scheduled elections for July 12—barely a week later. This move drew outrage from several quarters, including the Alike Ikwo Youth Forum, a CAC-registered body, which submitted formal petitions to the BoT and copied key stakeholders.

“The entire process was rushed and unlawful,” said another youth leader. “No input from the BoT, no stakeholder consultations, and no respect for the constitution.”

Rather than address the concerns raised, the executive reportedly launched a campaign of misinformation, attempting to blackmail and discredit dissenting voices. Several youth leaders claim they were labeled as enemies of progress simply for demanding due process.

The final straw came when legal experts within the Forum flagged multiple constitutional breaches, particularly concerning tenure, amendment procedures, and the setting up of the electoral body.

Key violations included: Attempting to amend the constitution outside the AGM, Failure to allow a three-month window for electoral planning, Ignoring the role of the BoT in confirming electoral committee members, Disregarding rotation principles that ensure inclusivity across the five principal communities of Ikwo.

Faced with growing resistance and potential legal action, the election was quietly suspended—though no official statement has yet been issued by the Forum’s leadership.

Many members now fear for the future of the Forum, which was once seen as a unifying platform for youth development in the Ikwo Noyo Clan.

“We are not against anyone’s ambition,” said the group of concerned members in a joint statement. “But if the constitution is disrespected today, future leaders will do worse. The foundation of this Forum is being undermined, and we must act to protect it.”