Dr. Godwin Maduka, the governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in the November 6th gubernatorial election in Anambra State, has been demobilised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly flouting the rules of conduct for Youth Corps members.
Maduka, an internatiinally-acclaimed medical doctor had ironically declared that he possesses only the West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate in the particulars of candidate he filled out on the Governorship Forms with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, investigations by our correspondents have revealed that Dr. Maduka deliberately entered WAEC as his highest qualification to enable him complete his NYSC scheme without much ado.
The gubernatorial candidate who is undertaking his primary assignment in a primary school in Oji-River in Enugu State, is said to have flouted NYSC rules especially the section that bars Corp members from traveling out of the country or engage in partisan political activity during the service year.
Dr. Maduka is said to have travelled out of the country on four different occasions whilst still in the scheme.
He is also into partisan politics, being the gubernatorial candidate of one of the political parties jostling for the Amawbia Government House.
According to the rules, a corps member is not authorised to engaged in any partisan political activity or be engaged any gainful employment whilst still in service.
It is believed that Dr. Maduka flouted this aspect also necessitating the management of the NYSC to wield the big stick, suspending him from the service for one year after which he would start the service year afresh.
Political analysts were shocked when Dr. Maduka’s INEC form showed WAEC certificate as his highest qualification, what for a man that claims to be a pharmcist, a medical doctor and a Professor with multiple pedigree.
With available facts, it shows that he deliberately entered WAEC on his INEC forms to enable him conclude his NYSC before parading his degree certificates.
This could be said to enable him avoid the faith that affected the former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, who disgraced herself out of office for not doing the mandatory national service.
Assuming Dr. Maduka wins in the November 6th governorship election in Anambra State, analysts say it would amount to an exercise in futility because he can not hold the office of a governor having failed or neglected to participate in the mandatory National Youth Service Scheme as required by law.
When contacted, an official of the NYSC confirmed on condition of anonymity that Dr Maduka was part of the 2021 January batch that are due to pass out in November this year, but declined further questions on why he was delisted.
He will now be forced to repeat the service in another state, not anylonger in Enugu State, as from next year.
It would be recalled that Dr. Maduka lost the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the party’s primary election held on June 26.
He had however decamped to the Accord party and was unveiled by Chief Bartholomew Igwedibia, the Accord Party chairman in Anambra state, at a ceremony on August 11th, 2021.
Alex Nwankwo, a media practitioner and publicist, had initially emerged as the governorship candidate of Accord Party.
Commenting on his emergence as the new flagbearer, Dr. Maduka said he left PDP for Accord Party alleging improper conduct of primary to pick its candidate.
“PDP never really had an election. It was selection that took place in the primary and I was not selected. I have nothing against the PDP and I have moved on.
“But the people of Anambra are still yearning for my candidacy, which is why I began searching for a party that upholds discipline and integrity. I found Accord. It is a party I can work with.
“Accord is the only vibrant political party in the state, considering the fact that the party has more grassroots support in Anambra.”
Maduka said he was in politics to promote the state in human and infrastructure development.
“I have lived in the US for over 40 years and I want to replicate some of the developmental projects I have done there in Anambra. I will start by tackling social welfare such as hunger,” he added.
“Secondly, I will prioritise security, road construction, employment, healthcare, education and sports development.
“More importantly, I have the vision to make Anambra the hub for medical tourism, with my western experience as a medical practitioner.
“If I become governor, our administration will be gender inclusive, our women will be given the chance to fully participate in governance.”
Maduka expressed optimism in Accord’s victory at the poll, adding that his “friends in PDP and APGA” will vote for him.
