…Atiku, Falana Allege Political Retaliation…NYSC Insists It’s Due to Missed Biometrics
By Yinka Giwa
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has come under intense criticism after withholding the discharge certificate of Lagos corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, whose viral criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies ignited nationwide debate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the NYSC of “impunity,” warning that the denial smacks of political reprisal. “I hope Rita’s certificate is not being withheld because she had the courage to speak against the hardship Nigerians face under this administration,” he said, insisting that she served without queries and must be issued her certificate without delay.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, went further, branding the action “a cheap demonstration of overzealousness” and “wholly illegal” as it was not authorised by any court. He likened it to the 1988 confiscation of Bamidele Aturu’s certificate under military rule, warning that such acts “have no place in a democracy.” Falana reminded the NYSC of President Tinubu’s own Democracy Day pledge that no Nigerian should suffer injustice for criticising him, urging the immediate release of Uguamaye’s certificate.
Raye, who commands a sizeable TikTok following under @talktoraye, had bluntly described the President as “a terrible leader” while decrying soaring inflation and deepening hardship. Her comments sparked both applause from frustrated citizens and condemnation from loyalists of the administration.
But the NYSC insists politics has nothing to do with the sanction. Acting Director of Information, Caroline Embu, said Uguamaye was among 131 corps members penalised for disciplinary infractions, claiming she missed the April 2025 biometrics clearance and was handed a two-month service extension as stipulated in NYSC bye-laws.
“The principle of equal treatment was applied in her case,” the NYSC said, urging Nigerians “not to politicise” what it framed as a routine enforcement of rules. Critics, however, argue that the optics of punishing a known government critic while invoking technicalities are dangerously reminiscent of authoritarian tactics Nigeria claims to have left behind.