ABUJA, NIGERIA — A civic advocacy organisation, the Centre for Responsible Governance (CRG), has called on political actors and interest groups to desist from what it described as needless witch-hunting of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, over renewed controversies surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) records .
The group stated that the issues being raised had already been addressed by the National Youth Service Corps, noting that a formal verification letter issued on May 23, 2023, had clarified the matter . According to the organisation, the letter referenced NYSC/CCD/VER/10/5.1/VOL1/02 had resolved questions concerning the Deputy Speaker’s NYSC records .
Speaking on the renewed debate, the spokesman of the Centre, Obande George, expressed concern that matters previously clarified by a competent national institution were being resurrected for what he described as political motives .
“It is disheartening to see political actors recycling issues that have been laid to rest by a responsible government agency. The NYSC, which is the statutory body mandated to verify and certify corps members’ records, had in May 2023 issued a clear verification letter confirming the authenticity of the Deputy Speaker’s records. Why are we now pretending that letter does not exist?” George queried .
The CRG spokesman warned that such distractions could undermine the legislative work of the Deputy Speaker and divert attention from pressing national issues . He urged Nigerians to reject what he called “political desperation” disguised as concern for due process .
“We call on the public to disregard these antics. The Deputy Speaker remains focused on delivering good governance and legislative excellence to Nigerians. These witch-hunting expeditions will not distract him from serving the nation,” George added.
The Centre for Responsible Governance further appealed to security agencies to be vigilant against purveyors of false information aimed at tarnishing the image of public officials without evidence .
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