The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has denied allegations against the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, in collaboration with NYSC management, Oyo State, of mobilizing Corps members to influence the outcome of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State in favour of Governor Seyi Makinde.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, on Wednesday, said the concocted report is false and capable of misleading the public.
The Scheme, however, advised desperate politicians and social media platforms to be sternly 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.
The statement 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.
“The 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 totally false, concocted, and despicable.
“Corps Members’ involvement in national elections in the past decade has, without doubt, conveyed an appreciable measure of credibility to the entire electoral process which has earned the National Youth Service Corps the commendations of the international community, and governmental and non-governmental bodies as well.
“Management views the fallacious report with great concern and appeals that the Scheme should not be used to score political points.
“The management wishes to reassure Nigerians that the Scheme shall never shirk 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.
“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”, the statement added.
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