An Osun youth group has raised concerns over alleged payment of N50,000 to corps members, demanding an EFCC investigation

A non-partisan civil society organization, Osun Youth Coalition for Credible Elections, has raised alarm over alleged attempts to compromise members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election in Osun State, and called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other security agencies to immediately investigate the claims.

The group warned that any attempt to influence the corps members, who are expected to serve as ad hoc election officials, posed a serious threat to the credibility of the upcoming gubernatorial election.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Chairman, Adeola Oyewunmi, the coalition said that it had received credible information that a prominent individual in the state was allegedly collecting bank account details of corps members with the aim of transferring money to them before the elections.

The group alleged that some corps members had already started receiving payments of N50,000, and described the development as a calculated attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

“We have learned that there are rich people in Osun who are asking for account details of Corps members with the aim of sending them money to influence them during the upcoming gubernatorial election,” the statement said.

He added, “Some Corps members said some of their colleagues have started receiving 50 thousand Naira each.”

The coalition argued that making such payments just days before a major election was an attempt to buy the conscience of young Nigerians who would be entrusted with sensitive electoral responsibilities.

According to the group, “Paying the sum of N50,000 to members of the National Youth Service Corps just days before major elections in the state is a clear case of electoral fraud and an attempt to buy the conscience of the young generation who will be assigned as poll workers during the elections.”

The organization emphasized that it has no political affiliation and is committed solely to protecting the integrity of the electoral process.

“As a non-partisan organization, we are determined to ensure that the will of the people prevails in the gubernatorial election in Osun State on August 15. We will reject any attempt to compromise the integrity of the electoral process.”

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The coalition called on the EFCC, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to immediately investigate the allegations before they undermine public confidence in the election.

“We call on the relevant security agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to immediately take action and investigate these allegations in a bid to safeguard the sanctity of the Osun governorship election on August 15.”

The group warned politicians and other influential individuals against trying to persuade corps members or manipulate election results through financial incentives.

“We would therefore like to warn any politician or money bag who thinks that encouraging Corps members to manipulate the upcoming elections will be met with resistance from Osun youths,” the statement added.

The coalition stressed that the credibility of the Osun gubernatorial election must not be sacrificed for vote buying or other forms of electoral malpractice, and stressed that every vote cast on August 15 must reflect the true choice of the electorate.