A former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday, led a protest to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja, demanding the release of the discharge certificate of female corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as ‘Raye.’

Sowore was joined by other activists, including human rights lawyer and Raye’s legal representative, Inibehe Effiong.

The protest followed his statement on Monday, where he vowed to ensure that the corps member, who has completed her service year, is issued her certificate.

Raye had alleged that the NYSC withheld her discharge certificate because she criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, the NYSC denied the claim, saying the action was due to her failure to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance.

In a statement on Sunday, the NYSC said Rita is among the 131 corps members whose certificates were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons.

It explained that her service year had been extended by two months in line with the NYSC Bye-laws, adding that the procedure was standard and not unique to her case.