Again, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied issuing a Certificate of National Service to the Enugu State Governor-elect, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
This is coming after Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presented an NYSC certificate after being accused by opposition political parties of forging the certificate presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter dated April 18, 2023, the NYSC, in a letter signed by Ibrahim Muhammad for the Director General and sent to The Principal Partner, Silver & Co Associates, 51 Enugu Road Umuahia, Abia State reads: RE: APPLICATION FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF NYSC CERTIFICATE STATUS OF MBAH PETER NDUBUISI AS ATTACHED HEREIN.
“I am directed to refer to your letter dated 29th March, 2023 on the above subject matter and convey Management’s delight for compliance with the provision of the freedom of information Act 2011.
“We are pleased to inform you that the Certificate of National Service belonging to Mbah Peter Ndubuisi with Certificate number; A808297 forwarded for verification was nt issued by the NYSC.
“As we look forward to closer working ties with your organisation, please accept the assurances of Director General’s warmest regards.”
Earlier, the NYSC denied issuing Mbah’s certificate in response to an application for the confirmation of the document by one Mary Nneoma Elijah.
In the letter dated February 1, 2023, NYSC said that Mbah’s certificate with Certificate Number: A808297 was not issued by the Scheme.
“I am directed to refer to your letter dated 23 November, 2022 on the above subject and to convey Management’s delight for compliance with the provision of NYSC Act regarding presentation of the Certificate of National Service or Exemption Certificate by employees/prospective employees holding Degree and HND Certificates.
“We are pleased to inform you that the Certificate of National Service belonging to Mbah Peter Ndubuisi with Certificate Number: A808297 forwarded for verification was not issued by the NYSC.
“As we look forward to close working ties with your organisation, please accept the assurances of the Director-General’s warmest regard,” the letter read.
Mbah had all through the campaigns been dogged by accusations of forgery especially his NYSC certificate.
In February, the Rule of Law and Justice Initiative and Enugu Progressive Forum challenged him to show his NYSC certificate or withdraw from the race.
Media and Publicity Secretary of the forum, Cynthia Mbakwe, said their prayers had been answered by a court and the police had been directed to investigate the allegations.
According to her, a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in contravention of Section 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She said by Section 182(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the constitution provides that no person shall be qualified for election to the office of governor of a state if he has presented a forged certificate to INEC.
Mbakwe said, “We, therefore, challenge Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to make available his copy of the NYSC certificate in his possession to any civil society organisation of his choice to approach the NYSC for verification and that such organisation should make their findings public.