Leadership Crisis: Edo Youth Council Secretary Petitions CP Over Attacks, Intimidation

Benin, Edo – Aliyu Umweni, Secretary of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, alleging a pattern of harassment, intimidation, physical assault, and threats to his personal safety linked to an ongoing leadership crisis in the branch.

In the formal petition dated November 12, 2026, Umweni stated that he is the duly elected Secretary of the NYCN Egor LGA Branch. He claimed that repeated incidents involving individuals associated with the NYCN Edo State Chairman, Moses Agwinede Joseph, and the Egor LGA Coordinator have rendered the youth council secretariat unsafe for him.

He described the matters as arising from prolonged internal leadership disagreements that should be resolved through constitutional and administrative processes rather than force.

The petition outlines two main incidents. On July 23, 2026, during an NYCN Egor LGA Branch Executive Meeting at Doctor’s House in Ugbowo, Benin City, Umweni alleged that two individuals identified as Edionwe (Chief of Staff to the State Chairman) and IGWE (described as an ADC) arrived after claiming they had been sent by Moses Agwinede Joseph.

Their arrival was allegedly facilitated by the local government Coordinator, Emmanuel Emoekpere, who reportedly signalled them to interrupt the proceedings.

According to Umweni, he was confronted, harassed, and physically rough-handled for resisting what he considered unlawful external interference in the Executive Council meeting.

Security personnel eventually intervened to remove the individuals, he claimed.

He added that the July 23 incident was not isolated, citing other occasions at the secretariat involving intimidation of himself and other members, including Eric Etinosa (deputy coordinator) and Adoghe Blessing, by associates of the State Chairman, including the Chief of Staff, State Treasurer Comrade Oghomwen Omoruyi, the CSO, and IGWE.

A second incident allegedly occurred on November 11, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m. at the office of the State Chairman.

Umweni said he had honoured a summons from the State Secretary to appear at the Council Secretariat, but the situation escalated and he was physically assaulted by individuals he holds the State Chairman responsible for directing or permitting. Named among those involved were Emmanuel Agbaingbe (coordinator of Ovia South West), the coordinator of Uhunmwonde LGA, and IGWE, with others identifiable on sight.

In the petition, Umweni requested an independent investigation into both incidents and the individuals involved including those who may have authorized or facilitated the actions, invitation of named persons for questioning, protective measures against further harassment or retaliation, and investigation into the alleged interference in the lawful proceedings of the Egor Branch Executive Council.

He emphasized that internal disagreements cannot justify violence and that no one should use intimidation or physical force to suppress members’ rights.


Umweni, who is said to be currently on medical admission at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), offered to provide further statements, identify the individuals involved, and assist any probe, while stating that the petition seeks impartial investigation and protection of his rights rather than to settle personal scores.

As of the time of this report, there has been no public response from the named individuals, the State Chairman’s office, the Edo State NYCN leadership, or the Edo State Police Command regarding the petition.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria has faced various internal leadership and governance disputes at national and state levels in recent years, even as the Egor Branch petition highlights how such tensions can escalate to allegations of physical confrontation at the local government level.

Efforts to obtain comments from the parties mentioned in the petition are ongoing.