It’s politics taken too far, Falana, Sowore, others slam corps
Why we withheld Raye’s certificate, NYSC defends action
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has come under fire following its decision to withhold the discharge certificate of Lagos corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye” in what is alleged to be retaliation for her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Raye, who last year released a viral TikTok video describing Lagos as “smelling” and criticising Tinubu’s administration, claims the NYSC’s move is politically motivated. In the video, posted on her TikTok account @talktoraye, she lamented Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, high inflation, and hardship, calling the president a “terrible leader” and questioning his government’s efforts to address citizens’ suffering.
In a fresh video posted over the weekend, Raye alleged that her Local Government Inspector (LGI) refused to clear her for April despite her presence on the scheduled date. She claimed she was repeatedly told to “go to the back” until the official eventually seized her file, refused to attend to her, and ordered her to leave.
According to her, she was later informed she would not receive her certificate because she missed April clearance, an allegation she insists is false.
“I genuinely wish I wasn’t a Lagos State corps member because it’s a waste of my time,” she wrote, adding that she had decided to close the chapter and move on.
Critics have condemned the NYSC’s action, describing it as politically motivated and a violation of the corps member’s fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
The NYSC, however, defended its decision, saying Raye’s service year was extended for two months to ensure she completed it.
Rejecting the NYSC’s explanation, human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, in a statement on Sunday, slammed the management, alleging the move was retaliation for her criticism of Tinubu’s economic policies. Falana described the action as “a cheap demonstration of overzealousness.”
He recalled a similar incident in 1988, when the NYSC withheld the discharge certificate of the late Bamidele Aturu for rejecting the Best Corps Member Award because he refused to shake hands with the military governor of Niger State, Lt. Col. Lawan Gwadabe.
“Since Nigeria is under a democratic government, Rita Uguamaye’s fundamental right to criticise the government is guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution,” Falana said. He reminded the NYSC of President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, in which the president cautioned public officers against suppressing dissent.
Quoting Tinubu, he added: “While slander and libel must not go unaddressed, no one should suffer injustice for simply writing a negative report about me or calling me names.” Falana urged the NYSC to release Raye’s certificate without further delay.
Former National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kunle Edun, SAN, also condemned the NYSC’s decision, describing it as “politics taken too far.”
“Criticising government policies is a call for accountability, not an act of disloyalty. What kind of message is NYSC passing to Nigerian youths? That shortcuts and silence in the face of impunity are now acceptable?” Edun asked. He urged the Minister of Youth Affairs to intervene and described Raye as “a true patriot who should be commended, not punished.”
In its defence, the NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, dismissed Raye’s allegations as “false and without basis.”
“Contrary to these claims, Raye is one of 131 corps members whose Certificate of National Service was withheld not as punishment for dissent, but for valid disciplinary reasons,” Embu said in a Sunday statement.
“Specifically, her service year was extended by two months because she failed to attend the April biometric clearance, as required by the NYSC Bye-Laws. This extension is standard procedure and not unique to her case. The principle of equal treatment was applied here as in all others,” the statement concluded.