Youth Party (YP), yesterday, demanded the immediate resignation of Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, over her alleged inability to satisfy extant legal requirements for public office.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ayodele Adio, the party maintained that the minister ‘compromised’ the integrity of her role, while citing the case of MODIBO v. USMAN & Ors (2019) LPELR-59096 (SC), adding that it provides clear guidance on the matter.

According to him, while the Court of Appeal reversed a prior decision suggesting that a youth corps member could engage in full-time political activities, the Supreme Court held that such engagement contradicts the overall public policy laid out in the National Youth Service Corps Act.

Adio lamented that it was saddening that Musawa could scale through both the Department of State Services (DSS) and Senate screening with such “embarrassing baggage.”

He charged public institutions to be alive to their responsibilities all time, adding that the occupants must live up to their oath of office.

His words: “It is evident from the precedent that a person serving in the NYSC is prohibited from participating in partisan politics or holding partisan political appointments, as outlined in the NYSC Bye-Laws (Revised) 2011.”

This aligns with the principle that public office requires undivided commitment and responsibility to the constituents.

“The recent revelation that the Minister of Arts and Culture is still undergoing her NYSC, and has even participated in a primary election, raises serious concerns regarding her eligibility to hold her current ministerial position. The Supreme Court’s ruling further emphasises that the engagement in partisan politics, while being a youth corps member, is a breach of the law and constitutes a violation of the principles set forth in the National Youth Service Corps Act.

“The Act explicitly mandates a continuous service period of one year without participation in partisan politics. It is important to note that the NYSC Decree has been validated by the Constitution, reinforcing the gravity of adhering to its provisions.”

The party warned that the precedent would encourage more people to disregard the law, thus raising moral questions. (The Guardian)