0
0
Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has addressed the controversy surrounding her appointment while concurrently serving as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
It’s worth recalling that the NYSC had raised concerns about her appointment, citing a breach of their regulations which stipulate that a corps member must complete their one-year service before accepting any government appointment.
Responding to these allegations, Hannatu Musawa clarified that she did not violate any regulations, asserting that neither the existing laws nor the NYSC Act explicitly forbid the appointment of a corps member to political office before completing their service period.
She also clarified the discrepancy in her assignment location, stating that she was posted to Akwa Ibom, contrary to the NYSC spokesperson’s mention of Ebonyi.
In a formal statement, Hannatu expressed her position:
“I would like to unequivocally state that despite the unfounded insinuations and erroneous assumptions circulating in certain sections of mainstream and social media, my current role as a Minister and my status as a serving Corps member are in full compliance with the laws and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“It’s crucial to emphasize that there is no provision in Nigeria’s legal framework, including both the constitution and the NYSC Act, that explicitly prohibits the appointment of a serving Corps member by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority to political positions. Similarly, no stipulation within our existing laws or the NYSC Act mandates the completion of the service year prior to assuming a political office. There exist no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever in this regard. I have remained fully within the bounds of Nigerian law.”
Hannatu Musawa’s statement seeks to clarify her position and assert her adherence to the legal framework, dispelling any misconceptions regarding her dual roles as a Minister and a serving Corps member.
