Youths Storm CAC Office, Protest Deregistration of NYC

Dozens of Nigerian youths under the banner of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), on Thursday, stormed the headquarters of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja to protest the deregistration of the council by the commission.

The demonstration, led by NYCN National President, Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, marked the beginning of a 30-day nationwide protest aimed at compelling the CAC to reverse its decision and remove the Registrar-General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN).

The protesters accused the CAC boss of disobeying court orders and acting in contempt of an ongoing legal case, claiming the deregistration was executed despite a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal.

The protest followed the confirmation by the Federal Ministry of Youth that the CAC had revoked the NYCN’s registration certificate and appointed a caretaker committee to run its affairs.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Registrar-General Must Go,” “Respect Court Orders,” and “Deregistration of NYCN is a Security Concern,” the demonstrators blocked the main entrance of the commission’s headquarters while chanting solidarity songs.

Addressing journalists during the protest, NYCN President Sukubo described the CAC’s decision as an affront to the rule of law and due process.

“This issue has already been ruled on by the Federal High Court and is currently pending before the Court of Appeal. We insist that due legal processes must be followed before any administrative decision is implemented,” Sukubo said.

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He vowed that the protest would continue until the youth council’s registration status was restored.

“We will sustain peaceful protests for 30 days across the country until NYCN is reinstated. We also urge relevant authorities to intervene because this matter affects the voice and unity of Nigerian youth,” he added.

Speaking at the protest ground, NYCN National Secretary, Comrade Gara Nongha, described the CAC’s action as “deeply worrisome and unacceptable,” urging the commission to reverse its decision without delay.

“The NYCN is the legitimate umbrella body representing millions of Nigerian youths. We are demanding that its full registration rights be restored immediately,” he said.

Also lending his voice, former NYCN Secretary-General, Barrister Abubakar Suleiman, insisted that the CAC must respect the court’s jurisdiction over the matter.

“The Federal High Court has already given directives on this issue. Any further administrative step must comply with the ongoing court proceedings,” he noted.

Responding to the protest, Acting Registrar-General and Director of Customer Service, Julius Hanga, who addressed the demonstrators on behalf of the CAC, said the deregistration was a temporary measure pending the resolution of legal and administrative issues surrounding the council’s operations.

“The commission is reviewing the situation. Once all legal and administrative matters are concluded, the NYCN’s registration status will be restored,” Hanga assured.

He appealed to the youths to remain calm while the matter is being addressed in line with the law.