NYSC DG Threatens Action Against Corps Members Campaigning For Politicians On Social Media | Sahara Reporters
He urged corps members to exercise restraint as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has warned corps members against campaigning for political parties or candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nafiu issued the warning on Wednesday during his working visit to the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Katsina State, according to Channels TV.
The NYSC boss reminded corps members that they are expected to remain politically neutral during their service year and must not use their NYSC identity or social media platforms to promote political interests.
“As corps members, you are not permitted to campaign for any political party or candidate. If your social media activities are traced to political promotion while wearing the NYSC identity, appropriate action will be taken,” Nafiu cautioned.
He urged corps members to exercise restraint as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Nafiu also warned them against using social media to spread misinformation, particularly AI-generated or manipulated content that could mislead members of the public.
“You don’t just share or repost blindly. Think through what you receive. Verify the source, check when the picture was taken, and determine whether it has been manipulated by AI. Technology has changed the information space completely,” he said.
The NYSC DG described corps members as critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that many of them would be deployed as ad hoc electoral personnel during the 2027 general elections.
He urged them to see such responsibilities as an opportunity to contribute to credible elections rather than participate in partisan political activities.
“You contribute more to democracy by helping thousands of Nigerians exercise their voting rights than by casting only your own vote. Your service will help deliver credible, free and fair elections,” Nafiu said.
His warning comes as political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, with social media expected to remain a major platform for political campaigns and mobilisation.
The NYSC DG’s directive emphasises that corps members maintain political neutrality and avoid activities that could compromise the integrity of their national service or their potential role in the electoral process.
In 2025, a corps member, Rita Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, faced punishment after her viral TikTok video criticising President Bola Tinubu sparked controversy.
The NYSC withheld her Certificate of National Service, officially citing missed biometric clearance, though many Nigerians saw it as retaliation for her remarks.
Raye gained attention after posting a TikTok video in March 2025. In the video, she described Lagos as “smelling” and lamented Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, directly criticising President Tinubu.
The NYSC explained that her Certificate of National Service (CNS) was withheld not because of her political comments, but because she missed the April 2025 biometric clearance, a mandatory requirement for all corps members.
Many Nigerians, including rights groups and prominent figures, believed the punishment was politically motivated.
Amnesty International condemned the action as harassment, insisting that peaceful criticism is constitutionally protected.