Several corps members alleged that what was advertised as an innocent meeting in mufti quickly escalated into a full-blown political rally.
Corps members serving in Kogi State have accused the state National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) authorities of allegedly deceiving them into attending a political rally in support of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Ododo under the guise of a youth empowerment program.
SaharaReporters gathered that the incident took place on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
According to multiple corps members who spoke to SaharaReporters on Monday, they received an official-looking circular, purportedly issued by the State Coordinator of NYSC, inviting all corps members in Lokoja, Obajana, Kabba Junction, and other parts of the state to attend a “general meeting” as part of a Kogi State Organised Youth Program.
However, the circular gave no specific agenda, only instructing attendees to dress in their NYSC “mofty” (mufti) uniforms and report to Muhammadu Buhari Square at 9:30 am.
The circular read in part: “I am directed to inform all Corps Members in Lokoja (Including Obajana and Kabba Junction) that there will be a youth program at Muhammadu Buhari Square on Sunday, 25th January 2026. Note: Attendance is mandatory, Dress code: Mofty, Time: 9:30 am, Venue: Muhammadu Buhari Square.”
Several corps members alleged that what was advertised as an innocent meeting in mufti quickly escalated into a full-blown political rally.
Upon arriving at the venue, they reportedly found themselves in the midst of a Tinubu/Ododo endorsement event, complete with campaign banners, chants, cameras, and officials scrambling to create crowd shots.
One corps member reportedly asked, “Is this CDS or APC?” referring to the political nature of the gathering versus the neutral service scheme they signed up for.
A number of corps members told SaharaReporters that the exercise was aimed at demonstrating the governor’s political support across Kogi State.
“It was clearly a desperation move to prove crowd capacity,” one corps member said.
Because transportation funding from the 21 local government areas was reportedly limited, the authorities allegedly relied on corps members in their NYSC khaki and white uniforms to create the illusion of massive turnout.
“We were told it was a meeting, not mobilization. If we knew it was a political rally, we would have at least practised chanting APC songs before coming,” one frustrated corps member lamented, seeking shade from the harsh sun.
NYSC rules strictly forbid corps members from participating in partisan political activities, yet eyewitness accounts indicate that many were effectively conscripted into the rally, standing under the sun while inadvertently endorsing political candidates.
“It was a classic case of ‘borrowed crowd, borrowed legitimacy.’ When your mandate is shaky, even pretense starts looking like support,” one corps member observed.
One of the corps members told SaharaReporters that the most painful part of the incident was that they were tricked and deceived into attending the event.
The corps member said: “The circular stated that there would be a youth programme on Sunday and that we should come in mufti by 9 a.m. Because of this, many of us could not attend church. We were wondering what kind of empowerment programme it was. When we got to Muhammadu Buhari Square, what we saw shocked us.
“On arrival, we saw APC supporters everywhere, with party flags all around. It was obvious that it was a political rally, not a youth empowerment programme. We were surprised and disappointed.
“What was most painful was that we were tricked and deceived into attending.”
When asked how many people were involved, the corps member said: “All corps members in Lokoja and Obajana were instructed to attend. The circular was meant for all of us.
“On getting there, it was clear that it was a political rally. The governor was present. There were many APC officials and supporters. It was clearly a political event. I believe it was even televised live on Channels TV or NTA.”
The corps member added that many participants became uncomfortable once they realised what was happening.
“When most of us realised what was going on, we were uncomfortable because it felt like deception. Later, another message was sent claiming that delegates had been sent and that each corps member was given ₦20,000. This was said because corps members were unhappy.
“Some corps members were already discussing the issue online, and I believe news reached the organisers that corps members were not happy. Before the rally even ended, messages were sent telling us that we could leave early because many of us were complaining that this was not what we were invited for,” the corps members said.
According to the corps member, another circular was later issued to justify the situation.
“Another circular was sent explaining that the governor had earlier supported corps members with ₦20,000 and that this was why the Commissioner for Youth invited us, claiming the governor supports the NYSC. However, we later realised that we were only used to make up the numbers at the rally.”
When asked if the ₦20,000 was meant for transportation to the venue, the corps member said: “That was what they claimed, but in reality, the ₦20,000 was given to newly deployed corps members during their swearing-in ceremony.
“So technically, the narrative now is that the governor has shown support for corps members and, therefore, corps members should also turn up in support for him. In truth, nobody gave us any money. The ₦20,000 was only given to newly deployed corps members during their swearing-in,” the corps member said.
In response to the growing backlash on social media, NYSC officials and the Kogi State Government reportedly issued a statement attempting damage control.
The statement read: “Dear esteemed Corps Members, Weee! I want to address you about the youth program held at Muhammadu Buhari Square yesterday. It was organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to commemorate His Excellency's two-year anniversary. NYSC falls under the Youth Ministry, so we were invited.
"Our Commissioner for Youth and Sports has been a big supporter of the Scheme in Kogi State, sponsoring many youth programs benefiting our Corps Members. Just last Thursday His Excellency was at the orientation camp to warmly welcome the 2026 Batch A Stream 1 Corps Members into Kogi State, assuring them of maximum security and welfare at orientation camp and during their service year.
"And on Friday, the following day during the swearing-in ceremony, His Excellency sent a high-powered delegation to the orientation camp with twenty thousand naira to each Corps Member as transportation fare to their PPA as well as support for Course officials. We've been part of many State Government youth programs.”
“I marked attendance and let you return to lodges when I saw your discomfort, as it was meant to celebrate His Excellency's achievements. Sorry for the inconvenience. Your welfare is my priority, and I'd never intentionally inconvenience you," the statement added.
Despite the explanation, corps members remain unconvinced, arguing that the event violated the neutrality expected of NYSC activities.
Several have called on the Director-General of NYSC to launch an urgent investigation into the incident, protect the dignity of the scheme, and ensure that no corps member is ever unknowingly used for partisan political purposes again.