Aregbesola to corpers: Don’t be used by politicians to perpetrate electoral malpractices

AGAINST the build-up to September 22 governorship poll in Osun, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday cautioned members of the National Youth Service (NYSC), serving in the state against being used by desperate politicians to perpetrate electoral fraud or any form of malpractice.

Aregbesola handed down the warning during the closing ceremony/terminal parade of the orientation course for the 2018 Batch B corps members, at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ede, Osun.

He emphasised the need for the corps members not to succumb to monetary inducement from some politicians, who may want to seek favours, capable of eroding the sanctity of the election, stressing that it was imperative for the NYSC members to maintain the oath of neutrality throughout the election exercise.

According to Aregbesola, “you all have been rightly informed during the swearing-in ceremony of your role in the forthcoming election in the state.

Ensure to abide by the advice which came to you through seasoned officers of the scheme and its collaborating agencies when you are called upon for participation in the election process in the course of your service year.

ALSO READ: PDP to Buhari, APC: Speak out on alleged N21b Daura loot

He continued, “shun violence and corruption, ensure that the votes of every citizen at the polling units counts and do not allow yourselves to be used by anyone to perpetuate rigging during the process. Remember your family, the scheme and the nation at large are looking up to you and so, do not let the trust reposed in you by these people beat nought.”

In his remark, the Osun State coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Emmanuel Attah, hinted that the training given to the corps members during their 21-day orientation course were designed to prepare them physically, mentally and emotionally for the challenging tasks of nation-building.

While explaining that the training placed much premium on the price of leadership, he charged them to be good ambassadors of the scheme by maintaining neutrality and be committed to the success of September 22 governorship poll through effective discharge of their responsibilities as ad-hoc staff during the exercise.

Attah affirmed that any corps member who flouts the Electoral Act during the conduct of the election would be made to face full wrath of law to serve as deterrent to others, just as he advised them to protect the integrity of the NYSC scheme and their family names.