We already know that the position of the number one citizen of Nigeria can be attained with only a Secondary School leaving certificate. The knowledge we can now add on top of that is that going through the National Youth Service (NYSC) is not compulsory… if you’re seeking public office as governor of any state in the country.
This is according to a court of law which recently ruled on a suit questioning the eligibility of newly-sworn in Ogun governor, Dapo Abiodun.
A suit had been brought against Abiodun by Iyabo Anisulowo, a former senator, following the discovery that the governor did not participate in the compulsory NYSC program, even though he finished his first degree in 1986.
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court which heard the case on Wednesday, however, held that graduates who did not participate in NYSC scheme cannot be disqualified from governorship election.
Justice M. A. Mohammed held that the NYSC Act does not make provision for the disqualification of a candidate who failed to participate in its scheme. According to him, a candidate can only be disqualified under Section 177 of the constitution if he/she doesn’t meet the following criteria:
(a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
(b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years;
(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
(d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
The case against Abiodun was subsequently dismissed by the court.
