The Nigeria Integrity Movement (NIM), a prominent civil society organization, has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate a transparent and thorough investigation into the controversy surrounding Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
According to the group, any attempt to conceal facts would severely undermine the government’s credibility and open the door to political manipulation.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Thursday, Davies Ijele, the convener of NIM, criticized efforts by certain factions urging the president to shield the minister, labeling such moves as harmful to the administration’s commitment to rule-based governance.
Ijele emphasized that irrespective of a minister’s achievements, adherence to the rule of law must remain paramount, and any claims of forgery or irregularities must be investigated openly and comprehensively.
He urged President Tinubu to resist any pressure aimed at protecting officials implicated in document-related controversies, advocating for an independent and authoritative inquiry into the minister’s NYSC certificate allegations.
Highlighting that Tunji-Ojo’s reputation as a diligent public servant does not exempt him from legal scrutiny, Ijele stated, “The president should mandate the minister to undergo impartial verification so the public can be assured of the authenticity of the documents submitted during his nomination.”
The call for investigation stems from reports highlighting inconsistencies in Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC records, particularly concerning the timing of his certificate issuance.
Following a national media probe, the NYSC responded by confirming that the minister was initially mobilized in 2006 but absconded, was subsequently remobilized in 2019, and only received his certificate in 2023 due to an administrative delay.
However, Ijele raised concerns about the NYSC’s explanation, questioning how a remobilized corps member could simultaneously fulfill public duties and why the certificate issuance lagged years behind the completion date.
He therefore demanded a comprehensive and unbiased investigation into both the minister’s documentation and the NYSC’s administrative procedures to clarify accountability.
“While the NYSC has affirmed the certificate’s legitimacy, their account leaves unresolved questions about the timeline and circumstances,” he noted.
Ijele warned that acquiescing to calls for a cover-up would provide political adversaries with ammunition and tarnish President Tinubu’s anti-corruption and governance reform agenda.
He recalled a previous instance where a minister resigned amid a certificate scandal, underscoring that voluntary transparency or stepping down when wrongdoing is confirmed helps preserve institutional integrity.
“This is not a political witch-hunt. We seek the truth. If there are administrative failings within the NYSC, they must be addressed; if the minister’s documents are compromised, the law must prevail,” he asserted.
He appealed to President Tinubu to instruct relevant security and oversight agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and anti-corruption bodies, to conduct a thorough investigation and make their findings public.
“Prompt and transparent action will restore public trust and reinforce confidence in the administration’s dedication to accountability,” Ijele concluded.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State condemned what it described as a coordinated smear campaign by political opponents aimed at discrediting Tunji-Ojo.
APC spokesperson Darlington Nwauju dismissed recent social media allegations as recycled and baseless attempts to undermine a high-performing minister whose record speaks louder than unfounded accusations.
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