Governorship Race: APC Disqualifies Shittu Over NYSC Scandal

The minister of communications, Adebayo Shittu, has been disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Oyo state governorship racefor failing to participate in the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Recall that an Online newspaper, Premium Times had reported that Shittu who graduated from the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) at age 25 failed to serve as a NYSC corp member.

Shittu claimed that he needed not serve as a youth corper because according to him, his first political post after graduation could suffice as national service.

He was elected member of the Oyo state house of assembly after graduating from OAU.

In a report, the governorship aspirants screening committee of the ruling party said Shittu could not be considered to stand in the election.

Aisha AlHassan, Shittu’s women affairs counterpart, was also disqualified from the race. No reason was given for her disqualification.

Naija News had earlier reported that Mr Shittu, rejected the indirect primary election adopted by APC in Oyo state.

He said part of the reasons he rejected the adoption of indirect primaries in the State was because those to serve as delegates, constituted the most of those handpicked for the party’s state Congresses, which are being contested in court.

He stressed that the decision to adopt the indirect primaries in Oyo State was particularly aimed at preventing him from having a fair opportunity to contest, participate and to win the primary election.

“The direct primary system will surely allow all aspirants in the party to test their popularity,” he said.