CSOs Defend NYSC Over Mbah’s Certificate Saga

Two groups – Save Nigeria Movement and the Federation of Freelance Journalists – have risen to defence of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), over its position on the status of the discharge certificate of Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah.

While the NYSC declared the certificate presented by Mbah to the electoral body as fake and did not originate from it, the Department of State Services (DSS), cleared  the governor before the Enugu Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and accused the corps of lack of due diligence and poor record keeping on the Mbah matter.

But at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the duo of Rev. Solomon Semaka and Oduma Abel Kings, the national coordinators of Sava Nigeria Movement and Federation of Freelance Journalists respectively, the groups insisted that NYSC cannot err in following its rules and has not erred for 50 years and as such Mbah’s case can’t be different.

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They said, “The certificate being presented by the governor is a complete fabrication and has no connection to the NYSC.  We have amassed undeniable evidence supporting the NYSC position. Records from various open sources, including NYSC correspondences, court documents, and tribunal proceedings all confirm that the NYSC did not issue the specific certificate with registration number A808297 to Governor Peter Mbah at any time.”

The CSOs gave a rundown of the events that transpired more than 20 years to show that the NYSC keeps impeccable records and that records don’t lie, adding that Mbah has case to answer and should take responsibility for his actions rather resorting to a media war.

“The NYSC keeps excellent records and it’s on record that after graduating from the University of East London, Mbah was mobilised for the 2001/2002 service year and posted to Lagos State. However, he later applied to defer his service to attend Law School. Upon resuming his service in May 2003, he was meant to complete it in September of the same year. However, he was appointed chief of staff to the governor of Enugu State on July 14, 2003, which led to his alleged abandonment of the NYSC programme. Can those desperately trying to defend this illegality saying the NYSC deployed Mbah from Lagos and posted him to serve as chief of staff in Enugu State?” the statement queried.

The CSOs said in NYSC tradition, uncollected discharge certificates are returned to the National Directorate Headquarters. In Mbah’s case, his unclaimed certificate with serial number A673517 is on record, refuting his claim that he was issued a certificate by the NYSC Secretariat in Lagos.

“Any attempt to discredit the NYSC using whatever tactics including security agencies won’t work. The NYSC has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Trying to shift the focus away from the core issue which is the authenticity of Governor Peter Mbah’s NYSC discharge certificate won’t work either. We demand unequivocally that the governor disclose the source of the certificate rather employing legal manoeuvering to save face.

“As CSOs, we shall continue the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability in leadership. We urge all Nigerians to support the country’s institutions and build a culture of excellence for future generations. As a leader, the CSOs maintained that the best thing for Mbah to do is to apologise to the NYSC and the Nigerian public, offer himself for re-mobilisation and complete his national service as every core gentleman will do,” the duo said.