Corps members serving in Kogi State have accused officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of misleading them into attending a political rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Ododo under the guise of a youth empowerment programme.
According to accounts obtained by Sahara Reporters, the incident occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, after corps members received a circular directing them to attend a “mandatory youth programme” at Muhammadu Buhari Square in Lokoja. The notice, reportedly issued by the state NYSC office, gave no details of the programme’s purpose and instructed attendees to appear in mufti.
Several corps members said they were shocked on arrival to discover that the gathering was, in fact, a full-scale APC rally, complete with party banners, chants, media coverage, and top government officials. Many claimed they felt uncomfortable after realising they had been drawn into a partisan political event, which NYSC rules strictly prohibit corps members from participating in.
One corps member told Sahara Reportersthat all corps members in Lokoja, Obajana, and surrounding areas were instructed to attend, making it appear as though the rally enjoyed massive youth support. “We were told it was a meeting, not a political mobilisation. When we arrived, it was obvious we were there to make up the numbers,” the corps member said.
Following complaints and online backlash, NYSC officials and the Kogi State Government reportedly issued a statement explaining that the event was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to mark the governor’s second anniversary in office. The statement also referenced a ₦20,000 payment previously given to newly deployed corps members, which officials described as transportation support.
Despite this explanation, many corps members remain dissatisfied, insisting they were deceived and their neutrality compromised. Some have called on the Director-General of NYSC to investigate the incident and ensure that corps members are never again used, knowingly or unknowingly, for partisan political activities.