The air in Akure grew tense on Thursday morning as members of the Ondo Youth Forum, led by their outspoken coordinator, Adedunmola Adewunmi, gathered to address what they described as a “lingering cloud of uncertainty” over the NYSC certificate of the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
For days, the state had been bubbling with debates, rumours, and street-corner arguments. But the youth forum decided it was time to speak with one voice — boldly and without sentiment.
Adewunmola, standing before reporters, expressed what he called the collective disappointment of Ondo youths, saying that although Tunji-Ojo was a dear son of the soil, integrity must come before emotions. He noted that a minister from another region who faced a similar controversy had voluntarily stepped aside pending investigation — something the youths expected their own son to emulate.
“We are not enemies of Tunji-Ojo,” Adewunmola said solemnly. “But leadership requires courage. If someone in a similar situation could resign honourably, we expect our own brother to show the same boldness. The letter he presented in defense of the certificate controversy is not enough; it must be properly investigated by Mr. President.”
Their concerns echoed those of another civic group, Ondo Citizens for Justice, which recently issued a strongly-worded statement urging for a full-scale probe into the matter. The group, chaired by Mr. Akinwunmi Owodare, lamented that the uncertainty surrounding Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC certificate had cast an unnecessary shadow on the image of a state widely celebrated for integrity, scholarship, and moral values.
Owodare, in his statement, reminded Nigerians that Ondo people are “globally known for truthfulness and accountability,” insisting that the community cannot sit idle while doubts linger over the record of one of its most prominent sons.
Although the NYSC has publicly confirmed the authenticity of the certificate — attributing its late issuance to a technical glitch in 2020 — Owodare noted that rumors and public suspicion have refused to die down. Reports that the minister was allegedly invited by the DSS further heightened concerns, even though details remain unverified.
“Hon. Tunji-Ojo is our son; we cannot deny him,” Owodare declared. “But we also cannot allow anything to stain our collective name. Injury to one is injury to all. Ondo State must remain a symbol of integrity.”
Both groups the fiery youth forum and the concerned civic coalition — now stand united in one demand:
an independent, unbiased investigation ordered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
To them, only a transparent probe can put an end to the whisperings, restore public confidence, and protect both the reputation of the Tinubu administration and the honour of Ondo State.
“Our father, the President, must intervene,” the statement concluded. “We need a proper investigation to clear these rumors once and for all.”
