A coalition of 150 civil society organizations has condemned the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its alleged involvement in politics.
The coalition, Advocates of Truth and Justice (ATJ), accused senior officials within the NYSC of colluding with influential politicians to tarnish the reputations of individuals through the use of forged NYSC certificates.
The coalition’s statement comes in response to the recent claim made by Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, the Director-General of NYSC, that Enugu State Governor-elect, Dr. Peter Mbah, did not receive a discharge certificate from the organization.
In response to the allegations, Mbah obtained a court order preventing the NYSC from further disclaiming his certificate.
Furthermore, he filed a lawsuit against the NYSC at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking ₦20 billion in damages for conspiracy, deceit, and misrepresentation of facts.
The coalition asserts that despite the court order, the NYSC Director-General allegedly engaged with the media to disclaim Mbah’s certificate, exhibiting a clear disregard for the court’s authority and acting in contempt of it.
ATJ stated that the leadership of the NYSC has deviated from its intended purpose, becoming a tool in the hands of desperate politicians who seek to impede their perceived rivals.
The coalition questions why Mbah would forge a certificate for which he did not have to pay or undergo any examination.
According to ATJ’s investigation, Mbah was lawfully mobilized by the NYSC, receiving a call-up letter and being assigned to a primary place of assignment.
He fulfilled all the duties and responsibilities assigned to him, including participating in the passing out parade, and subsequently received a discharge certificate from the NYSC.
The coalition finds it outrageous that, despite these documented activities, the NYSC would assert that the Governor-elect did not participate in the program. They argue that this claim is not only scandalous but also absurd.
ATJ highlights that NYSC discharge certificates are printed by the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company PLC and possess security features such as watermarks and serial numbers denoting the batches.
The coalition challenges the NYSC to produce another certificate from the same series as Mbah’s, which shares the same serial number.
Consequently, the coalition vows to stage a large-scale protest at the NYSC secretariat, demanding a thorough investigation of the organization and its personnel by the National Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
Ujah maintains that following this demonstration, the incoming administration will have no choice but to undertake a comprehensive reform of the compromised NYSC or potentially abolish it altogether.
