A heated controversy has erupted in Nigeria after a presidential aide, Temitope Ajayi, called for severe punishment against a National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie ‘Raye’ Uguamaye, for criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The corps member, who is currently serving in Lagos, had posted a TikTok video lamenting the worsening economic situation in Nigeria and blaming the president for the hardship, calling him a “terrible leader.”
The video, which quickly gained traction online, captured Uguamaye expressing frustration over the relentless rise in food prices. She questioned what measures the government was taking to address the economic crisis, emphasizing that Nigerians were struggling to afford basic necessities. She stated that the continuous inflation made daily living unbearable and openly criticized the president’s leadership.
Her remarks triggered an extreme response from Ajayi, who took to Facebook to argue that the corps member had violated her NYSC oath and code of conduct. He claimed that such criticism warranted capital punishment, either by hanging or firing squad. While acknowledging that ordinary citizens have the right to criticize public officials, he insisted that as a corps member, Uguamaye had crossed a line by allegedly insulting the symbol of sovereign authority. He maintained that such an act should not go unpunished and called for the strictest possible disciplinary measures against her.
His comments have sparked widespread condemnation, with human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong leading the charge in defending Uguamaye’s right to free speech. Effiong dismissed Ajayi’s claims, stating that neither the NYSC Act nor the NYSC Bye-Laws criminalizes criticism of the government. He emphasized that Nigerians have a constitutional right to express their views, and Uguamaye’s comments were well within the bounds of freedom of speech as guaranteed by Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution.
According to Effiong, the corps member did not engage in any form of partisan politics or incite violence but merely voiced legitimate concerns about the country’s economic crisis. He stressed that no one should face persecution for expressing dissatisfaction with governance, especially at a time when inflation is pushing millions of Nigerians into deeper financial distress.
The case has drawn the attention of international organizations and political figures. Amnesty International has strongly condemned any attempts to suppress free speech, warning that democratic values are under threat when citizens are punished for holding their leaders accountable. Similarly, opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have spoken against what they describe as an alarming rise in state-backed intimidation against critics of the Tinubu administration.
Atiku Abubakar, in a statement, warned that silencing young Nigerians for expressing their grievances would only deepen the discontent within the country. He reminded the government that democracy thrives on dialogue, not oppression. Peter Obi also weighed in, arguing that rather than threatening citizens, the administration should focus on delivering economic relief and restoring confidence in governance.
Uguamaye’s ordeal highlights a growing trend where individuals who criticize the government face backlash from state officials. In recent months, several Nigerians have been harassed, arrested, or threatened for speaking out against government policies. Many see this as a troubling sign of shrinking civic space and increasing authoritarian tendencies within the country.
As outrage continues to build, calls are growing for the government to retract any disciplinary actions against Uguamaye and reaffirm its commitment to upholding democratic freedoms. Civil rights activists insist that instead of persecuting young people for their opinions, authorities should prioritize addressing the economic hardship that has fueled such criticism in the first place.
The controversy surrounding the corps member’s remarks underscores the deep frustration among Nigerians over the country’s economic struggles. With inflation at record levels and the cost of living soaring, many citizens are using social media as a platform to demand accountability from their leaders. The question now is whether the government will respond with dialogue and policy action or continue to use intimidation as a means of silencing dissent.
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