By: Thomas Abidoye
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has led the corps member who called Bola Tinubu a “terrible president” to the NYSC Local Government Inspector Office in Lagos.
Sharing the update on his Facebook page on Monday, Sowore said that the journey with corps member Rita Uguamaye has commenced.
He wrote, “The journey with National Youth Service Corps youth Corper, Ushie Rita uguamaye, has commenced in Lagos. She is scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we will escort her to their offices. We are all en route with attorneys. Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi, Ojienoh Justice”
Recall that the Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced his backing for Ushie Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps member from Lagos, popularly known as Raye.
She recently alleged that she faced threats following a widely circulated video where she voiced criticism against President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In a post on X on Sunday, Atiku commended Raye’s bravery, portraying her as an emblem of an emerging group of politically active women dedicated to promoting democracy and advocacy.
He drew parallels between Raye and notable female figures in Nigeria’s history, including Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, who significantly influenced the nation’s political sphere.
Atiku urged the public to offer encouragement to Raye instead of antagonism.
The statement reads, “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.
“She follows in the footsteps of formidable trailblazers like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and countless other women who have stood resolute in defense of the common good.
“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. -AA”
AMILOADED had earlier reported that a corps member currently serving in Lagos State has publicly expressed her distress after receiving a threat from the NYSC authorities.
The threat came in response to a social media post where she voiced her frustration about the escalating prices of goods across the country.
In an emotional video posted on TikTok under the username @talktoraye
, the Corps member broke down in tears as she described her struggles with the soaring cost of market commodities.
She went as far as labeling President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration “terrible” for what she perceives as its inadequate response to the ongoing price surge.
In the video, she said: “If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government. I just want to say to our president, I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
The serving corp member, in tears, further explained how the NYSC scheme has been less beneficial to her, having had to spend more than the allowance she receives
“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up? Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills. The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell? Being an NYSC Corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme. The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
Barely 24 hours after releasing the video calling President Tinubu “terrible,” she posted another video in which she was receiving calls from an NYSC official. The official in the video was heard asking the Corp member, “Are you normal?” The voice continued, “Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted,” she said.
The Corps member further explained that she has been receiving calls from various NYSC officials telling her to stop insulting the government and remove the video.
More details later….
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