The National Youth Service Corps has not responded to claims that Ushie Uguamaye, a corper from Lagos, threatened the organisation for attacking President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a now-viral video posted on her talktoraye TikTok account on Saturday, Uguamaye bemoaned the rising inflation and economic hardship in Nigeria and voiced her anger with the country’s deteriorating economic situation.
The President was also condemned by Uguamaye, who called him a “terrible leader” and questioned the government’s attempts to lessen the suffering of the populace.
Additionally, she stressed that Lagos State is a “smelling state” and lamented its “poor living conditions.
The video became viral as a result of several individuals sharing it on different social media platforms and debates focused on her complaints.
Uguamaye uploaded a second video on her TikTok after the first one went viral, warning that the NYSC authorities were reportedly threatening her.
She asserted that she had merely told the truth about the state of the nation and that certain NYSC officials were requesting that she remove the video.
Uguamaye wrote, “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.
She 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.”
As of the time this story was filed, Edwin Megwa, the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, had not returned calls or messages to his lines when our correspondent reached out to him on Sunday for a response.
In the meanwhile, a number of people and organisations have responded to her claims in different ways, supporting her for being honest.
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and Peoples Democratic Party presidential contender in the 2023 elections, was among many who praised the corper for having the audacity to oppose the administration.
Atiku commended Raye’s bravery in a statement posted on X on Sunday, calling her a representation of a new generation of politically active women dedicated to advocacy and democratic engagement.
“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.
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The former presidential candidate likened Raye to historic female activists such as Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Atiku called for support rather than hostility towards Raye.
“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 called on President Tinubu to order the NYSC board to cease persecuting Uguamaye in a statement posted on its X page on Sunday.
According to SERAP, everyone should have the freedom to critique the government without worrying about retaliation.
“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.
While some social media users are backing her up, others are condemning her action of criticising the government.
