Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has cautioned members of the National Youth Service Corps posted to the state to steer clear of partisan politics as the governorship election approaches.

Addressing the 2026 Batch B, Stream I corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ede, the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Moruf Adeleke, said the neutrality of young graduates participating in election duties would be crucial to the credibility of the poll.

He reminded the corps members that many of them would serve as ad hoc staff during the election and urged them to see themselves as guardians of the democratic process rather than political actors.

He called on them to resist pressure from politicians, community leaders or peers, warning that any compromise could undermine public confidence in the outcome of the election and damage the reputation of both the NYSC and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The governor stressed that the state was entering a sensitive political season and that the conduct of corps members would be closely watched by citizens and observers. He urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, follow all electoral guidelines and report any attempts at inducement or intimidation.

Adeleke also charged the new intakes to take the orientation programme seriously, obey camp rules and embrace the discipline and skills training offered, describing the NYSC year as a unique opportunity for personal growth and national service.

He assured them that his administration remained committed to their welfare and security throughout their stay in Osun, promising continued collaboration with the NYSC to provide a safe and enabling environment for their assignments.

Earlier, the Osun State NYSC Coordinator, Ekeng Kubiangha, disclosed that 3,000 corps members had been deployed to the state, comprising 1,600 females and 1,400 males.

Kubiangha echoed the governor’s message, noting that the integrity of any election depends significantly on the conduct of those who manage the process at the grassroots. He urged the corps members to remain impartial, avoid any form of inducement and adhere strictly to INEC regulations.

He further encouraged them to use the service year to build friendships across ethnic, religious and cultural lines, describing Nigeria’s diversity as a strength that the NYSC scheme is designed to promote.