Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu who was screened out APC’s Gubernatorial primaries in Oyo State for not having an NYSC certificate, has disclosed that he is now willing to undergo the one year mandatory program.
This disclosure came in an an exclusive interview with popular Ibadan-based broadcast journalist, Edmund Obilo, on his programme ‘State Affairs’. Barely 48 hours before he was disqualified by the party, Mr Shittu said he was willing to embark on the NYSC if it becomes necessary.
Adebayo Shittu who stated that he is willing to serve in any part of Nigeria if it is necessary for him to become Governor of Oyo State, also maintained that he is not Kemi Adeosun. He however debunked claims that Kemi Adeosun forged her NYSC certificate, stating that she was a victim of circumstance.
“Will you still like to go for Youth Service?” asked Mr Obilo. “Of course I will go; it will be a pleasant thing to go after I have been governor by the grace of God,” Mr Shittu said in response to the question. “Yes, why not?”
When Mr Obilo jokingly asked the minister whether he would like to serve in Daura, home of President Muhammadu Buhari, he responded in the affirmative.
“Whichever camp…it doesn’t matter, Daura is part of Nigeria,” he replied, adding that, “I will serve in any place if it becomes necessary for me to go.”
Again, Mr Obilo asked Mr Shittu whether he would serve if he does not become the governor of Oyo state.
“If it becomes necessary I will,” he said. “Court will have to decide whether serving in the house of assembly and being minister is not superior and does not replace service in the NYSC.”
The minister later said his case was, however, different from that of Kemi Adeosun, the immediate past minister of finance.
“I am not Kemi Adeosun because I didn’t have any forged certificate of exemption,” Mr Shittu said. When probed further on the response, he explained that Mrs Adeosun did not forge her certificate but was only a “victim of circumstance”.
“Who forged (the NYSC certificate)?” Mr Obilo asked again.
“I wouldn’t know. You will (have to) ask Kemi Adeosun,” Mr Adebayo Shittu said.
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