Osun Guber: NYSC denies alleged ₦50,000 election inducement claims

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Osun State has dismissed as false reports alleging that corps members are being paid ₦50,000 to influence the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

In a statement issued by Catherine Otemuyiwa, Osun NYSC spokesperson on behalf of the State Coordinator, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, the scheme described the online publication as misleading and entirely without factual basis, insisting that it had no involvement in or knowledge of any such payments.

The NYSC stated that it had neither authorised, coordinated nor supervised any payment to corps members for political or unlawful purposes, stressing that the allegation was completely unfounded.

According to the statement, “the scheme remains a non-partisan institution committed to promoting national unity, discipline and selfless service among Nigerian youths.”

The NYSC noted that “corps members are regularly reminded to remain politically neutral and to comply strictly with the provisions of the NYSC Act, the scheme’s Bye-Laws and all applicable electoral guidelines.”

The statement added that the Osun State NYSC Coordinator, Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, had consistently sensitised corps members on the need to reject inducements and maintain impartiality during election duties.

It stated that “corps members have been advised to safeguard sensitive electoral materials and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the Electoral Act and regulations issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

The scheme also disclosed that it was working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of corps members before, during and after the Osun governorship election.

Rejecting the allegation in its entirety, the NYSC said, “The allegation is false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis. At no time did the Scheme authorise, coordinate, supervise, or have knowledge of any such payment for political or unlawful purposes.”

The statement urged members of the public to disregard the report and called on media organisations to verify information with the appropriate authorities before publication.