The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which recently exposed the status of Minister Hannatu Musawa as a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has said it has uncovered a plot for her soft landing.
The embattled newly appointed Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy has been at the center of a storm since HURIWA exposed her dual roles, raising questions regarding her eligibility and transparency in public office.
In a press release issued on Monday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, disclosed a potentially strategic government plan. “According to reliable sources, there are indications that the Presidency is considering a strategic reshuffle, positioning Mrs. Musawa to head the Ministry of Youth Development. This ministry holds sway over the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a move that has raised eyebrows and prompted concerns about transparency and accountability in governance”.
The core of the unfolding saga, as revealed by HURIWA revolves around Minister Hannatu Musawa’s alleged inability to furnish conclusive evidence of her completion of the mandatory national youth service program during her Senate confirmation.
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HURIWA’s investigation, delving into intricate details of the controversy, has revealed potential contradictions in statements made by various stakeholders.
A prominent concern highlighted by the rights group centres on a possible disparity between Minister Musawa’s assertion of having successfully concluded her service as recently reported by the media and NYSC counter-claim that she is currently engaged in active service.
This discrepancy, according to HURIWA, if substantiated, further intensifies the ongoing controversy, because NYSC had officially confirmed that she is serving now and has served for eight months out of 12 months.
“The NYSC Act, designed to foster national unity and involve young citizens in the nation’s progress, explicitly outlines participation requirements. Section 2 mandates that all citizens under 30 years of age who have graduated from tertiary institutions, both within and outside Nigeria, must fulfill a mandatory one-year national youth service. Notably, Section 13 of the Act stipulates penalties for non-compliance.
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“Furthermore, the Nigerian Constitution specifies qualifications and disqualifications for public office. Specifically, Section 147(6) states that a person cannot be appointed a Minister of the Federation unless eligible for election as a member of the House of Representatives. This connection between the criteria for ministerial appointments and legislative roles raises pertinent questions.”
Given the legal complexities at play, HURIWA reiterated its call for an exhaustive, impartial investigation into the legality of Minister Musawa’s dual roles. The organization underscored the critical need to uphold the principles of the law, transparency, and accountability to safeguard the integrity of public office and the governance process.