Electoral malpractice: NYSC says arrested corps member in Osun should face the law

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says any corps member that engages in any form of electoral offence should be made to face the wrath of the law as stipulated in the electoral act. 

NYSC was reacting to the arrest of a corps member, Orji Desmond Nkenna in Osu, Osun State, along with a supervisor with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and one other person for allegedly selling and being in possession of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Osun State police spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, had said in Osogbo on Saturday that 38 PVCs were recovered from the suspects.

In a statement by Eddy Megwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, NYSC said it is unfortunate that Nkenna could involve himself in such an atrocious act.

NYSC said: “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 sensitized by 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. 

“NYSC would continue to play its role of promoting the unity and integration of the country, as it has been doing in its almost fifty years of existence.

“With the 2023 general elections 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.”