Corp Members Refuse To Participate In Rivers Rerun Election

Corpers refuse participation in Rivers rerun election

National Youth Service Corps members in Rivers state have decided not to serve as ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC during the River State rerun of election.

The rerun for National and State Assembly positions  scheduled on Saturday, December 10, trails numerous controversies due to the accusations and counter-accusation between the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and INEC. Based on observation and lack of enthusiasm from corps members serving in the state, it was discovered that they are adamant to participate in the election because of fear of possible violence.

Recall the terrible violent incident resulting in the death a corper, Okonta Samuel Dumebi during the River State legislative election on March 19, 2016. An anonymous source told our correspondent that most of these youths are not willing to embark on such life-threatening government service as far as Rivers state is concerned. The source said:

“A good number of them are terrified that there could be violence, and these are young men and women who don’t want to get killed because of some election.”

Meanwhile, the state REC, Aniedi Ikoiwak said the job of corps members was voluntary, therefore those who are not willing to work for the election are free to opt out. He contemplated that some of the corps members’ parents might have told them not to partake in the rerun election, but that will not affect Saturday’s election.

“From the beginning, the NYSC work is on a voluntary basis. We know that some of them might have been told by their parents not to be part of it (election).

“But if we have a problem of shornewse of manpower, we will complete them with workers from other government’s agencies and institutions.”