Should Adeosun’s case end with resignation?

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, recently resigned after a prolonged controversy over her exemption certificate from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Daily Trust sought opinions of some Nigerians on whether this should be the end of the matter, being that her certificate was indeed discovered to have been forged. Otsupunu Ben Agande, Journalist, […]

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, recently resigned after a prolonged controversy over her exemption certificate from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Daily Trust sought opinions of some Nigerians on whether this should be the end of the matter, being that her certificate was indeed discovered to have been forged.

Otsupunu Ben Agande, Journalist, Narayi, Kaduna.

There is a precedence in this country. When the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari resigned because of certificate forgery, he was arraigned and convicted on a one count charge of forgery. That was during the regime of a government that did not wear the fight against corruption on its sleeve as this government. Not minding whether the former minister was genuinely a victim of fraudsters in the NYSC, she was in possession of a forged certificate which she presented to various government agencies, as such she committed a crime and should be held accountable. The law should be no respecter of anybody, even if that person is a minister. It is good enough that she resigned. It will even be better if she is brought to account and prosecuted. That way, we will know that the fight against corruption is not mere sloganeering.

Orekunrin Olajumoke, 29, Events Manager, Ondo State

Kemi Adeosun shouldn’t have resigned because there are a lot of government officials who have been accused of one fraudulent practice or the other, but are still in government in various capacities.
Though she was not forced to resign, according to reports, her resignation was personal which is patriotic. However, her action I believe deserves no condemnation but rather the public should look at her numerous achievements when she served her nation which is more important than castigating her.

Fadila Abdulmalik Yakubu, 24, Civil servant Nassarawa LGA Kano state

Kemi Adeosun’s resignation is one of the most honourable things ever done by any political office holder in recent times. It is obvious that she was betrayed by the trust she had on the system. There are many with worst cases than hers and they remained in the system. It is an issue of self-respect and integrity. Her resignation to me is a sign that Nigerians have started to hug the change idea. Her gesture will indeed serve as a deterrent to upcoming political office holders. However, her case shows that the NYSC system needs a serious overhaul to check such issues.

Isiyaku Ahmad, 42, Civil Society Advocate, Kano

Kemi Adeosun’s resignation is just an act of smartness on her part. Her case shouldn’t just end by accepting her resignation. There should be an enquiry or an investigation that will look at, not only the forgery but also the activities of the ministry during her leadership and if she is found guilty, necessary action should be taken against her in accordance with the sections violated.
She wanted to save her career and didn’t want to have a tragic end by staying and facing other charges. It is a pity that her resignation is being seen as an act of patriotism. She should be taken up on her forgery issue and a thorough investigation should be conducted on her activities as a minister.

Mahmud Lawal Aliyu, 40, Farmer, Zaria, Kaduna State.

Apparently, she wasn’t aware that she could be issued a fake certificate of exemption, because no one would think it could be faked. In addition, all the people that screened her from the first time she assumed public office as a commissioner need to be prosecuted, including those that screened her before she assumed office as Minister of Finance.

Ibrahim Abubakar Nagwari, Chairman, Birnin Gwari Vanguard for Security and Good Governance, Kaduna

Having used Nigerian passport for the first time at age 34, she needs no NYSC certificate if not for the provision of the law that established the NYSC scheme. Again, her acceptance of responsibility and resigning her so-called ‘juicy’ position to me is commendable when compared to those that fake their academic certificates. It signifies the fact that we are beginning to get things right and the government of the day should be encouraged.

Adam Bilal Adam, 35, Businessman, Kano

Her resignation as Minister of Finance shouldn’t be the end. This is a national issue we are talking about. There are a lot of issues at stake here. Who are involved and who are those behind the issuance of the forged NYSC exemption certificate? These are things that ought to have been looked into and not her sudden resignation. She may have been betrayed as she claimed, and if so, who really betrayed her? Moreover, she had held other public offices and she was screened before being given those positions. There are series of questions that need to be answered, thereby making her resignation not to be the end of the whole issue.