PYC is a burden; those alleging tenure extension are mistaking – Chairman

Central Nigeria’s Chairman of Plateau State Youth Council, the umbrella body of all youth groups in the State, Dr. Fabong Jemchang says his official obligations have distracted him from other crucial matters.

“The distractions from PYC are so huge that I can’t mentor anyone to takeover from me.

“Anyone who thinks I want to stay in office beyond my term is mistaking. Such a one doesn’t understand what I face and how desperate I am to leave office,” Dr. Jemchang told newsmen, Friday.

On May 22, 2017, Jemchang was sworn-in along with other officials to lead the body for three years.

Instead of conducting elections and handing over to new officials on May 22, 2020 however, “the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent ban on all social gatherings have made elections impossible,” said the youth leader.

Section 3 of the PYC constitution says the Central Working Committee of the body shall appoint a 5-man electoral committee at least 30 days to the expiration of tenure of serving executives.

However, Nigeria banned public gatherings in the second week of March 2020, after recording its first covid-19 case on February 27, 2020.

The Central Working Committee however convened in first week of May 2020, and resolved that the current leadership of the body hold sway until government lifts ban on public gatherings to allow for fresh elections.

“We are determined more than ever to midwife the process of a new administration immediately Government lifts the ban on social gathering.

“Our inability to continue was strictly in obedience of the Executive Order of the Governor of Plateau State and the President of the Federal Republic,” said Mr. Jemchang.

The PYC leader appeal to youths to remain “calm and supportive”, also obeying government guidelines on the control of COVID-19.