— Warns against cover-up that could erode public trust
A civil society organisation, the Nigeria Integrity Movement (NIM), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure a transparent and independent investigation into the controversy surrounding the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, warning that shielding any public official from scrutiny would undermine government credibility.
Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Convener of the group, Isaiah Davies Ijele, said that integrity in public office must not be compromised under any guise, urging the President to resist pressures from political allies seeking to downplay the issue.
“No one, regardless of office or performance, should be placed above the law,” Ijele said. “If there are inconsistencies in the documents a minister submitted for public service, the right thing is to subject them to an open, independent investigation. That is the only way to maintain trust in the system.”
The controversy stems from reports questioning discrepancies in Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC records. The Corps recently clarified that the minister was initially mobilised in 2006 but failed to complete the programme, before being remobilised in 2019. It said his certificate was eventually printed in 2023 following what it described as an “administrative omission.”
Although the NYSC insisted the certificate was genuine, NIM said the explanation left gaps that require further clarification.
“We find it curious that a remobilised corps member could combine national service with official duties, and that his certificate was not printed until years after his reported completion date,” Ijele noted. “These are legitimate questions that should be addressed transparently.”
The group cautioned that any attempt to suppress or politicise the issue would expose the administration to public ridicule and provide ammunition to opposition figures.
“Covering up such allegations will hand political opponents a potent weapon and damage the President’s reputation as a leader committed to accountability and due process,” Ijele said.
He recalled previous instances where ministers voluntarily resigned over certificate controversies, noting that doing so helped preserve the integrity of government institutions.
“In a democracy, stepping aside for investigations or resigning when necessary does not signify guilt—it shows respect for the rule of law,” he said.
The Nigeria Integrity Movement further urged President Tinubu to direct relevant security and anti-corruption agencies—including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—to conduct a thorough, time-bound, and public investigation into both the minister’s records and NYSC administrative processes.
“This is not a political witch-hunt,” Ijele emphasized. “We are asking for the truth. If the fault lies within NYSC, it must be corrected. If the minister’s documents are irregular, then the law should take its course.”
NIM concluded that decisive and transparent action from the Presidency would go a long way in strengthening public confidence and reaffirming the government’s commitment to ethical leadership and accountability.
