The Nkanu Youth Organisation (NYO), the recognised umbrella body for youths across the six local government areas of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, has announced the impeachment and indefinite suspension of its former National President, Mr. David Nwachukwu, over alleged acts of serious misconduct.
The decision was disclosed on Tuesday during a press conference addressed by the organisation’s National Executive Council (NEC), which also announced the appointment of the Vice President, Pharm. Gideon Nwafor, as Acting National President of the body.
NYO comprises youths drawn from Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Isi-Uzo, Enugu East, Enugu South and Enugu North local government areas.
In a statement jointly signed by Pharm. Gideon Nwafor, National Secretary Ugwu Chukwuemerie Padrepew, and five other national executives, the organisation said the action followed investigations into allegations of financial malfeasance levelled against the former president.
The allegations include diversion of organisational funds, “fraudulent collection of ₦10 million using the name of a non-existent faction,” persistent abuse of office, engagement in sponsored attacks against illustrious leaders of Nkanu land “to the tune of ₦2 million,” and diversion of funds meant for the registration of the organisation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Upon the conclusion of this process, the Council established that the allegations were credible, weighty, and fundamentally incompatible with the standards of leadership expected in NYO,” the statement said.
According to the NEC, “the findings revealed acts of financial misappropriation, abuse of office, diversion of organisational funds, unauthorised collection of monies in the name of NYO, actions undertaken to undermine government institutions, and repeated unilateral decision-making without recourse to the appropriate organs of the organisation.”
“In view of the gravity of these findings and the need to safeguard the integrity, unity, and future of the Nkanu Youth Organisation, the National Executive Council hereby announces that Mr. David Nwachukwu is hereby suspended indefinitely as the National President of Nkanu Youth Organization (NYO), with immediate effect. All organisational privileges and authorities previously vested in him are accordingly withdrawn,” the statement declared.
The NEC said the appointment of an acting president was necessary to prevent a leadership vacuum and ensure continuity.
“In line with our constitution and to avoid a leadership vacuum and ensure continuity of operations, the Vice President, Pharm. Gideon Nwafor, has been duly appointed as Acting National President. He is mandated to stabilise the organisation, coordinate reconciliation efforts, restore financial discipline, and oversee the affairs of the union pending the emergence of a substantive President within the appropriate timeframe,” the statement added.
The organisation further stressed that the suspended president no longer has any authority to represent or speak on behalf of NYO.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Council hereby notifies the general public, government institutions, development partners, and the media that Mr. David Nwachukwu (Dika Dave) no longer represents the Nkanu Youth Organisation in any capacity whatsoever,” it said.
“He is not authorised to speak for, act on behalf of, or engage with any individual or institution in the name of Nkanu youths. Any correspondence, appearance, negotiation, or public statement made by him henceforth should be regarded as null, unauthorized, and lacking the mandate of the youths of Nkanu land,” the statement warned.
NYO also disclosed that the matter has been referred to relevant authorities for further investigation and possible recovery of allegedly misappropriated funds.
The youths also tendered unreserved apologies to illustrious sons and daughters of Nkanu land who were allegedly targeted through sponsored attacks by the former president, stressing that such actions do not reflect the ideals, aims and objectives of the Nkanu Youth Organisation.
