The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abuja Headquarter office has described as false a report alleging the Oyo State Secretariat of the scheme collaborating with Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development to influence the outcome of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State in favour of Governor Makinde.
The NYSC scheme in a statement titled: “Re-Sunday Dare Mobilises Oyo NYSC Members To Work For Makinde” stated that the allegation apart from being spurious is capable of putting corps members in harm’s way and of great security implications.
The statement signed by Eddy Megwa, the Director, Press and Public Relations and made available to Daily Independent reads, “The attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to the allegation by a political group making the rounds in the media to the effect that Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, in collaboration with NYSC Management, Oyo State is mobilising Corps Members to influence the outcome of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State in favour of Governor Makinde.
“Management wishes to state emphatically that the allegation which has the propensity of putting Corps Members in harm’s way is extremely dubious, absurd, malicious, with grave security implications.
“At no time did the Honourable Minister address Corps Members and Management of NYSC in Oyo and directed them to favour a particular candidate during the forth-coming elections.
“Politicians are strongly advised not to drag Corps Members into politics as they are completely apolitical and are ready to serve their fatherland selflessly. It is false, concocted and despicable.
“Corps Members’ involvement in national elections in the past decade has without doubts, conveyed an appreciable measure of credibility to the entire electoral process which has earned the National Youth Service Corps the commendations of international community, governmental and non-governmental bodies as well.”
NYSC described the allegation and report as fallacious with great concern and appealed to politicians to desist from using the Scheme to score political points.
Besides, the scheme reassured Nigerians that it shall never shirk in its responsibility of ensuring that Corps Members discharge their duties in the forthcoming national elections with the highest degree of patriotism, neutrality and discipline which is the hallmark of the National Youth Service Corps.
The statement added, “Desperate Politicians and social media platforms are advised to be kindly guided in their utterances in order not to put the safety of Corps Members, which is the cardinal policy thrust of NYSC Management in jeopardy.”
