The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has promised that it would do everything in its power to ensure that “the law takes its course” in regards to the alleged electoral misconduct involving a corps member by name, Orji Desmond Nkenna, in Osun state.
The NYSC made this promise on Sunday in a statement signed by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, in Abuja.
The corps member was alleged to have manipulated the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voter Cards in Osu, Osun State.
38 PVCs were allegedly found on the corps member after he was accused of passing the PVC belonging to one voter to another, according to the police.
The NYSC administration was dismayed by Nkenna's alleged misbehavior and added that, if proven guilty, the law should be allowed to run its course.
"The attention of the Management of National Youth Service Corps has been called to a trending news on the social media about electoral malfeasance involving an INEC staff member, a Corps Member, and others," the statement's opening line reads.
"It is regrettable that one of the accused, corps member Orji Desmond Nkenna, could drag himself into such a heinous deed.
We've also mentioned that the case is being looked into. If guilty, the law ought to be applied appropriately.
"The NYSC, a responsible youth-molding organization, hereby distances itself from the perpetrators' unpatriotic act. The NYSC also completely condemns the act.
Megwa added that corps members' participation in previous elections in the nation was a result of their track record of flawless performance in a number of prior national assignments, and the Scheme was proud of the corps members who had adhered to the rules in the line of carrying out important national duties.
"NYSC and INEC officials constantly educate all corps members about their roles during elections, including the legal repercussions if they break electoral rules, starting with the Orientation Camps.
As a result, any corps member who commits an electoral offense must face the full force of the law as set forth in the electoral act.
"NYSC would continue to fulfill its mandate of fostering national integration and unity as it has done for nearly fifty years.
With the general elections of 2023 rapidly approaching, he continued, "The NYSC would not relent in cementing the long-standing cooperation with INEC towards achieving a free, fair, and credible election to the satisfaction of all Nigerians and the world at large."
