Corper Who Called Tinubu ‘Terrible Leader’ Denied Certificate
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has confirmed that Lagos corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye — widely known online as “Raye” — is among 131 members whose discharge certificates were withheld for disciplinary reasons, igniting a heated political storm.
Raye became a viral sensation earlier this year after posting a TikTok video blasting President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, calling him “a terrible leader” and lamenting Nigeria’s worsening hardship.
Her missing certificate triggered allegations from human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who claimed the NYSC’s action was political retaliation for her outspoken criticism. Falana condemned the move as “illegal” and compared it to the 1988 case of activist Bamidele Aturu, whose certificate was seized under military rule after he refused to shake hands with a governor.
Falana reminded the NYSC of Tinubu’s own Democracy Day speech, where the President urged public officers not to punish critics, warning that silencing dissent could destabilise democracy.
However, the NYSC insists politics played no role. In a statement signed by Acting Director of Information, Caroline Embu, the scheme said Raye’s service year was extended by two months for failing to attend her April 2025 biometric clearance, a sanction allowed under NYSC bye-laws.
The agency stressed that this was “a standard procedure” and not unique to Raye, urging the public to avoid politicising the matter.
Still, the clash between the fiery TikTok critic and the powerful state institution has already lit up public debate — with many Nigerians seeing it as another test of the country’s tolerance for free speech.
