The leadership of the Rivers State Youth Parliament (RSYP) has rejected claims by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development, Mrs Ruhuoma Chinedu Kejeh, that the body is not legally constituted or inaugurated.
In a statement issued on Friday, Comrade N-Epba Goodness, Clark of the Rivers State Youth Parliament described the claims as false, misleading and a misrepresentation of facts, insisting that the youth parliament remains a legally recognised institution.
Mrs Kejeh had reportedly stated that there is no legally inaugurated Rivers State Youth Parliament, adding that the platform is a government-created body whose inauguration falls under the statutory mandate of the Ministry. She also claimed that the last session of the RSYP was held in 2013 and that no youth parliament had been constituted since then.
Reacting, the RSYP clarified that it is not a creation of the Rivers State Government or any of its ministries, but a constitutionally recognised programme of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), in line with Article 15 of the Rivers State NYCN Bye-Laws, 2016 (as amended), under which youth groups across the state were institutionalised.
The Parliament stated that its establishment and inauguration were duly endorsed and recognised by key institutions, including the Rivers State Ministry of Youth Development on July 25, 2016, the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth, Employment and Empowerment Affairs on July 26, 2016, and the Rivers State High Court Registry on July 29, 2016. According to the RSYP, these endorsements remain valid and have not been revoked or set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction.
The RSYP further faulted the claim that the youth parliament ceased to exist in 2013, describing it as evidence of poor knowledge of institutional records within the Ministry. It also questioned why the Ministry failed to constitute another youth parliament since 2013 if, as claimed, the body falls strictly under its statutory mandate.
According to the statement, the current Rivers State Youth Parliament has been in office since January 2024 and has carried out several official programmes and engagements across the state.
These include participation in a youth courtesy visit to the then Sole Administrator on April 12, 2024, during which the Permanent Secretary was present, as well as a visit alongside an NYCN delegation to the office of the Permanent Secretary on April 14, 2024.
The Parliament expressed concern that the Ministry raised no objection or disclaimer during these engagements, but that the issue only surfaced after the RSYP, through its Speaker, Rt. Hon.
Wisdom Bruce, issued a press release aligning with the impeachment process initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The RSYP alleged that the timing of the publication suggests political motives rather than genuine administrative concerns. It also called on the Permanent Secretary to focus on transparency and accountability regarding youth-focused interventions and funds reportedly disbursed during the period of Emergency Rule in the state under the then Sole Administrator, Rtd. Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas.
Reaffirming its leadership, the RSYP stated that Rt. Hon. Wisdom Bruce lawfully emerged as Speaker through due process in line with NYCN regulations. The Parliament reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and democratic engagement, stressing that it would not be deterred by intimidation, misinformation or political pressure.
The RSYP urged members of the public to disregard the Ministry’s publication, insisting it does not reflect the legal, constitutional or historical realities of the Rivers State Youth Parliament. It also called on Rivers youths to remain calm, peace-loving and law-abiding, while promoting unity and constructive participation in governance.
