200,000 corp members deployed for 2023 general elections

According to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), more than 200,000 corps members have been assigned as ad hoc workers for the general elections in 2023.

Brigadier General Yushau Dogara Ahmed, the director general, revealed the information on Tuesday in Abuja during a press conference about the scheme's readiness for the upcoming general elections.

Around 75% of INEC's ad hoc workers for the elections, according to General Ahmed, are corps members.

He claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) personnel have previously taught candidates both inside and outside of orientation camps.

"The National Youth Service Corp members are ever ready to do it again just as they have done it before, those who are going to participate in this election have been trained.

“Proper training has been given to them; they were admonished. Guidelines were given to them. We as individuals and staff of the scheme have also talked to the Corp members, they have been well informed and they are ready to give their best.”

The Director General issued a warning to Corps members not to solicit any kind of reward from candidates during the elections.

“We want to remind corps members to be careful in whatever environment they find themselves in. They should not accept any gift from any politician. They must not accept any food from anybody,” he added.

"As they go, they should carry at least their service support and all they need. Any form of gratification or gifts, we don’t expect any corps member to accept.

“[On] the welfare of these corps members, the INEC has promised to provide them with sleeping kits and whatever they need for the elections.”

The DG also mentioned the security precautions the NYSC has taken to protect corps members' safety before, during, and after the elections.

The scheme launched a "Distress Call Centre" as part of the efforts to help inform security officials of any concern, according to Ahmed, who said that part of the measures included meeting with heads of security agencies to ensure that they are safeguarded.

"What is fundamental for me to also mention is the security of these Corp members. Since I took over, I have met with the IG of Police and the DSS.

“I have met with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps; I have equally met with INEC and every hand is on deck to ensure that the Corps members are secured.

“We were assured by INEC that they will carry these corps members to their respective places of assignment and bring them back safely from wherever they are picking them from,” he said.