The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, Brig.Gen. Sulaiman Kazaure, has demanded high level of patriotism, neutrality and integrity from corp members deployed as ad-hoc staff in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti state.
He also stressed the need for neutrality from the corps members to add credibility to the process.
A statement by the NYSC coordinator in Ekiti , Mrs Emmanuella Okpongete, on Wednesday quoted the DG stating this while addressing corps members in Ado Ekiti ahead of the Saturday’s poll.
Kazaure, who stressed the role of corps members in the successful conduct of elections in the country, said their roles could not be over-emphasised, calling on them to carry out their functions without fear or favour.
Represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the scheme, Mrs Victoria Okakwu, the NYSC boss urged the participating corps members to display high level of patriotism, neutrality and integrity in order to make the election credible and transparent.
Kazaure reminded the youth that the whole voters in Ekiti and the whole world were looking up to them for the will of the people to prevail.
He said, "I am here today to admonish you to make the scheme and indeed the Nation proud for the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti.
"You are expected to be apolitical and be neutral. Do not associate with the politicians. It is the turn of Ekiti and your turn to do what is right and expected of you.
"Be security conscious and i want to inform you that security agencies have assured us of your safety before,during and after the election. All you need to do is to follow the guideline given to you by INEC. You will be given allowance by INEC so, don’t be moved by politicians and money."
Kazaure added that security agencies had promised to ensure their safety during the election, advising them to work with the guideline already given by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The NYSC coordinator in Ekiti , Mrs Emmanuella Okpongete, said corps members had been trained and sensitised to carry out their assignment successfully. .
She urged security agencies to keep to their words by ensuring the security of lives and property of corps members during the election.
