Corper accuses NYSC of threats to life for expressing frustrations over govt’s inflicted hardship – Corper

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has remained silent over the allegation of threats levelled against it by a Lagos-based corper, Ushie Uguamaye, for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Uguamaye had, in a now-viral video shared on her TikTok account, talktoraye, on Saturday, expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, lamenting the high inflation and economic hardship.

Uguamaye had also criticised the President by describing him as a “terrible leader” while questioning the government’s efforts to alleviate the hardship faced by the citizens.

Additionally, she stressed that Lagos State is a “smelling state” and lamented its “poor living conditions.”

Several users on various social media platforms shared the video while discussions were geared in the direction of her lamentations, which caused the video to go viral.

After the video had gone viral, Uguamaye posted another video on her TikTok to alert the public that she was allegedly being threatened by the NYSC authorities.

She claimed that some officials of the NYSC were asking her to delete the video while she insisted that she had only spoken the truth about the country’s situation.

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.”

When contacted by our correspondent for a reaction on Sunday, the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Edwin Megwa, did not respond to calls and messages sent to his lines as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, her allegations have been met with mixed reactions from several individuals and bodies who backed her up for speaking the truth.

Among individuals who had lauded the corper for being bold to criticise the government was ex-Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar.

In a statement shared on X on Sunday, Atiku 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.

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.

Similarly, the Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, in a statement shared on its X page 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.

While some social media users are backing her up, others are condemning her action of criticising the government.