—Dismisses NYSC Certificate Controversy as “Political Noise”
Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, has come to the defence of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasising his significant contributions to the ministry while dismissing recent controversies surrounding his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as mere “political noise.”
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Agbese stated that the ongoing scrutiny of Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC certificate is a distraction orchestrated by political adversaries who are determined to undermine the progress being made under the “Renewed Hope Agenda.” He asserted that those behind the controversy are seeking to derail the minister’s impactful reforms at the Ministry of Interior.
Agbese highlighted Tunji-Ojo’s achievements since taking office, noting that he has successfully transformed the Nigerian Immigration Service. “In less than a year, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has transformed the Ministry of Interior from a bureaucratic enclave into a model of efficiency,” Agbese remarked. He pointed out that the minister cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs in just three weeks and introduced end-to-end automation to eliminate touting and racketeering. Additionally, new passport offices have been opened across several countries to better serve Nigerians in the diaspora, allowing citizens to apply for and collect their passports within days rather than months.
Agbese further emphasised that Tunji-Ojo has implemented significant reforms in the correctional system, including the release of over 4,500 inmates to decongest overcrowded prisons and the deployment of biometric systems to track escapees, effectively reducing jailbreaks.
In conclusion, Agbese asserted that the allegations regarding Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC certificate are nothing more than distractions used by those who cannot compete with his competence and results. “Governance is not about gossip; it’s about delivery,” he stated, urging that any questions regarding the certificate should be handled by the appropriate institutions rather than by political opportunists or social media mobs.
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