The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, for allegedly violating the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Bye-Law by accepting a ministerial position while still a serving corps member.
The group dismissed Musawa’s recent claim that she did not break any laws, calling it an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians.
Musawa, during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, defended her actions, stating, “I didn’t break the law,” and insisting she completed her NYSC obligations.
However, HURIWA, a prominent pro-democracy organization, countered that under the NYSC Bye-Law revised in 2021, serving corps members are prohibited from accepting political appointments or engaging in partisan politics.
The association highlighted that Musawa not only accepted a ministerial role but also allegedly served in the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council, further breaching the Bye-Law.
READ ALSO: HURIWA urges NJC to sanction Judges for court orders, warns of threat to democracy
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, pointed out that the Bye-Law holds legal authority, as the NYSC is an institution established by law.
Onwubiko argued that Musawa’s actions violated the guidelines of the program, emphasizing that the NYSC Bye-Law explicitly forbids corps members from participating in partisan politics.
Article 9 of the Bye-Law specifically states that no corps member is allowed to accept political appointments while serving.
The rights group also criticized President Bola Tinubu and the NYSC for allowing the violation to persist, suggesting that Musawa’s political connections may have shielded her from accountability.
HURIWA condemned the perceived double standards, noting that other corps members from less privileged backgrounds have been sanctioned for minor infractions, such as wearing non-compliant uniforms.
HURIWA urged Musawa to stop defending her actions and called for stricter adherence to the NYSC Bye-Law, regardless of political affiliation.