Nigeria’s National Youth Service Corps authorities have remained silent over the allegation of threats levelled against it by a Lagos-based female corper, Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, for criticising President Bola Tinubu and his government.
In a now-viral video shared on her TikTok account, “talktoraye,” on Saturday, Uguamaye had expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, lamenting the high inflation and economic hardship.
She, in addition stressed that Lagos State is a “smelling state” and lamented its “poor living conditions.”
After the video had gone viral, Uguamaye posted another video on her TikTok platform to alert the public that she was allegedly being threatened by the NYSC authorities.
In the second video, Uguamaye said: “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. In less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board!
“Dear Nigerians, they have my address. In case you guys don’t see me online, please you know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong. I just asked that they work on the inflation.
“Why can’t I speak up? Being an NYSC corper doesn’t mean I signed up for my right to complain.
“Why can’t the government listen to the criticisms of its citizens? They believe they have a chain on me, which is NYSC, and they are using it to hold me. #officialasiwajubat I didn’t do anything wrong. I criticised your government, and I demand that we are being heard.”
Uguamaye went further to state that she would not delete the post because it would amount to covering up whatever punishment was meted out to her.
The youth corper urged the NYSC authorities to desist from threatening her since she had been instructed to report to the office on Monday.
“She’s asking people to identify me? I’m not a criminal. Reading the NYSC rules, I didn’t commit any crime. Ask the NYSC lady to stop asking people to point me out. At this point, she’s acting scary.
“Dear NYSC, if you say a corper has faulted, you wouldn’t treat them like this and scare them! You are scaring me for my dear life. Please, leave me alone. You told me to report to the office on Monday. Okay! What else? Why are you looking for me?
“I just exercised my right to use the ‘Freedom of Speech’. This is the right of every citizen. Except they tell me being an NYSC corper removes me from being a citizen.”
In a statement shared on his X handle on Sunday, a former Nigerian Vice President, Mr. Atiku Abubakar praised Raye’s courage, describing her as a symbol of a new generation of politically engaged women committed to advocacy and democratic participation.
“Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere.
“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition,” Atiku wrote.
“Raye is like historic female activists such as Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future,” Atiku stated.
In the same vein, the Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), in a statement shared on its X handle on Sunday, urged President Tinubu to direct the NYSC board to stop harassing Uguamaye.
SERAP noted that the right to criticise the government should be fundamental, without fear of reprisals.
“The Tinubu administration should direct the leadership of the NYSC to immediately end the intimidation, harassment and threat against a youth corper, Ushie Uguamaye, for reportedly criticising the President over inflation and economic hardship.
“Everyone has a right to criticise their government without fear of reprisals. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. We’ll see in court if the threat is not immediately withdrawn.
“The NYSC board should stop treating criticism as a crime and immediately end the intimidation, harassment and threats against Ms Ushie Uguamaye. The administration must direct the NYSC leadership to guarantee her safety and security,” SERAP stated.