The National Youths Service Corps has described as unfortunate the reported arrest of a corps member, Orji Nkenna, by the Osun State Police Command.
He was said to have been arrested alongside a staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission over alleged electoral misconduct.
According to the police, Orji, a corps member attached to INEC office as an ad hoc staff in charge of voter cards distribution, allegedly collected his Permanent Voter’s Card on the orders of one Wale Ojo and Ijamakinwa Olaoluwa, both members of a political party, for financial transaction.
The NYSC in a statement issued Sunday by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, said the case was under investigation.
He said, “It is rather unfortunate that corps member Orji Nkenna, who is one of the accused persons could debase himself into such an atrocious act. We have also noted that the case is under investigation. If found guilty, the law should be invoked accordingly.
“The NYSC as a responsible youth-moulding organisation hereby dissociates itself from such unpatriotic act of the culprits. We also, in the NYSC, condemn the act in totality.
“The involvement of corps members in previous elections in the country was borne out of their track record of impeccable performances in several previous national assignments and we are proud of them all that stick to the rules.
“All corps members right from the orientation camps are always sensitised by the NYSC and INEC officials on their roles during elections, including the statutory sanctions if they violate the electoral laws.
“Consequently any corps member that engages himself in any form of electoral offence must squarely face the wrath of the law as stipulated in the electoral act.
“The NYSC would continue to play its role of promoting the unity and integration of the country, as it has been doing in its almost 50 years of existence.
“With the 2023 general election around the corner, the NYSC would not relent in consolidating the long-existing partnership with INEC towards ensuring a free, fair, and credible election to the delight of all Nigerians and the world at large.”