In a statement signed by its Director for Press and Public Relations, Mr. Eddy Megwa, in Abuja on Saturday, the scheme has made its political position concerning the forthcoming 2023 election known.
Mr. Megwa claimed that after the emergence of campaign posters showing some women in corps members’ uniforms promoting a political party’s presidential candidate, the NYSC felt it essential to issue the explanation.
The statement added, “The message encapsulated in the poster is antithetical to the policy of the Scheme which forbids corps members from showing partisan interest in politics.
“In addition, it is a direct assault on the integrity of the NYSC which is among the electoral umpires and has been in collaboration with Independent National Electoral Commission in the conduct of elections in Nigeria since 2008.
“Management hereby restates that the Scheme remains apolitical, and neutral without any form of attachment to any political party. The stand of the scheme runs absolutely contrary to the message fraudulently conveyed by the poster.
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Mr. Megwa also reminded the general public of the consequences that are set befall those who are not corps members but are found putting on the NYSC uniform.
He said, “Management also wishes to use this medium to remind members of the public that Section 14 of the NYSC Act makes it an offense for any person who is not a corps member to wear the NYSC uniform. Such a person if found guilty is liable on conviction to six(6) months imprisonment and or a fine.
“Consequently, the general public is hereby advised to discountenance the information contained in the poster; while strongly admonishing corps members to abide by the policy of the Scheme that forbids them from showing partisan interest in politics.”
Recall that Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), had already made the position of the scheme on April 7, 2022, clear during his address to the corps members in Abuja, during the closing parade of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream Two Orientation Course.
He said, “Let the spirit of NYSC live in you. Steer clear of politics, NYSC is apolitical, therefore, don’t get yourself involved in politics.”
