Why we Suspended Ikwo Youth Forum Election – BoT Chair Explains

The Chairman Board of Trustees of Ikwo Noyo Youth Consultative Forum, Hon. Benstev Ede has made clarifications on why the Board suspended the proposed election of the forum, saying that it was in the interest of peace and unity of the forum. 

Reacting to a counter announcement allegedly signed by three of the BoT members, the Chairman said the disclaimer was done by one of the BoT members who in his words took sides and wants to please his political godfathers. 

“As the Board Chairman of Ikwo Noyo Youth Consultative Forum, I acted in the best interest of the forum to avert crises that would have characterized the said slated election if allowed to hold. First, the stakeholders even the Board of Trustees were not formerly informed of the said election, and we never approved the electoral committee, talk more of the guidelines as provided by the forum constitution.

“Secondly, some aggrieved members of the forum went to Court to challenge the alleged alteration of the forum constitution and the proposed election. So, the best option at that point was to cancel the said election to allow for settlement of the matters under contention.

“On the false claims by one of the BoT members that I unilaterally took the decision to stop the election, all I will say is that he is just acting a script because he had already taken side and wants to please his political bosses. When I was served with the Court case which we are all joined as Defendants, he Hon. John Ogodo was the first person I called to ask him what we can do. He said he wants to see me privately, but I objected to it that we must meet and take decision as a Board. When I reached out to others, unfortunately two of them were outside the State. One was in Kogi, the BoT secretary traveled for a programme outside the State, and so they suggested that as a matter of urgency we should have an online meeting. I then initiated WhatsApp meeting on our platform and all the members, including John Ogodo was online during that meeting, but he refused to talk. All the other BoT members agreed that we should write and direct all concerned to call off the said proposed election. I still have here the messages and points made by each of them. The BoT secretary was even surprised that there was a planned election of the forum and we were not communicated as a board.

“So, when I acted on our decision and also placed radio announcement to that effect, almost all the BoT members including John Ogodo and Mr. Onward Amaechi called to commend my quick response. Hours later when calls started going and some were called by their political bosses, he ran to the platform and to radio to counter the announcement which he lacked the power to do the BoT secretary has since disassociated himself from his desperate disclaimer.” 

Speaking on way forward, the BoT Chairman, Hon. Benstev Ede said efforts are being made to resolve the issues before conducting the forum election inline with the provisions of the constitution.

“For now, we are hoping to have an enlarged stakeholders meeting by next week to look at the Court suit and discuss way forward. The peace and progress of Ikwo Noyo Clan and the youth forum remains paramount, and we must do everything devoid of sentiments to protect it. Our constitution has not been altered and the forum election will be held when all the issues has been amicably resolved,” he concluded.