Fate of Corp Member who Called Out Tinubu, Supporters, Critics,All You Need To Know

• Female corp member goes viral after calling Tinubu a terrible president.

• NYSC officials demands she pull down viral video, insists she reports at Secretariat on Monday.

• What Amnesty International, Atiku, VDM, and others said on the issue.

A female Corp Member serving in Lagos State has called out the Tinubu-led administration on Saturday in a viral video on TikTok.

The Corp member identified as Ushie Rita Uguamaye, with code number LA/24B/832 was seen criticizing the present government over the high cost of things, economic situations and her frustrations as a Corp member in the video shared on her TikTok account #talktoraye.

The major highlight was when she said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a “terrible president” and questioned what he’s doing to alleviate the suffering of citizens in the country.

Narrating her experience with the high cost of things in the country, she said,

“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.”

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She continued, “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?”

“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.”

“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?”

Her video has gained lots of traction on social media, as netizens reacted massively to it, some criticized her, while others supported her.

Among the voices criticizing her bold act was the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC)(NYSC) officials.

Rita said she received calls from some NYSC officials who threatened and pressured her to pull down the post.

From the clip of the call she shared in her video on Instagram, the caller asked, “Are you normal? Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted.”

When Rita asked if she was threatening her, the caller said, “Keep quiet, you are not talking to your mate”

Rita took to her Instagram to share the update on her Instagram handle #iamraye_, and stated amidst tears,

Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. In less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government starting with the NYSC board!

She went further to express her fear stating, “Dear Nigerians, they have my address. In case you guys don’t see me online, please you know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong I just asked that they work on the inflation.

She questioned if she isn’t allowed to express her opinion as a corp member, she asked:

“Why can’t I speak up? Being an NYSC corper doesn’t mean I signed up my right to complain. Why can’t the government listen to the critics of its citizens? They believe they have a chain on me, which is NYSC, and they are using it to hold me. #officialasiwajubat I didn’t do anything wrong. I criticised your government and I demand that we are being heard.”

“Deleting this content is of no use: because they already know me. However, deleting it means whatever they do to me, nobody would know. If they decide to give me a hefty punishment, nobody would know because I used my own hands to cover it by deleting what I started.

“She’s asking people to Identify me? I’m not a criminal. Reading the NYSC rules, I didn’t commit any crime. Ask the NYSC lady to stop asking people to point me out, ATP she’s acting scary.

Rita further said, she only stated her truth as a citizen with rights of freedom of speech.

“All I did was lament, all I did was complain. I’m getting tons of messages like this from my fellow corpers. What is wrong with just one person complaining? Why are they looking for me like I’m a criminal? I’m not dumb.

“I made sure to not accuse the government of anything maliciously! I questioned them. I asked questions. As an NYSC Corper, I didn’t sign off my freedom of speech.

“Leave me alone bruh. They keep calling me and I’ve switched off my phones now they are texting me my personal details on WhatsApp to inform me they know me well.

“Dear NYSC if you say a corper has faulted, you wouldn’t treat them like this and scare them! You are scaring me for my dear life. Please, leave me alone. You told me to report to the office on Monday. Okay! What else? Why are you looking for me? I just exercised my right to use the ‘Freedom of Speech’ this is the right of every citizen. Except they tell me being an NYSC Corper removes me from being a citizen.”

Her claims have sparked widespread concern online and have garnered lots of supporters who see her as a voice against oppression.

Amnesty International has thrown its support behind her and criticized NYSC for victimizing a corp member who spoke her truth. Taking to their X channel, the human rights group said:

“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should be prioritizing addressing the country’s economic woes.”

“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” they said.

Also, Media critic and activist, VDM has equally backed the corp member up, stating that she is right with her words. VDM also promised to help her if the NYSC scheme rusticated her. The media activist questioned the need for NYSC when individuals can use the time to learn a skill and better themselves, rather than serving a country that doesn’t do them any good.

The former Presidential Candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar has also thrown his support behind the corp member. Atiku praised her for speaking against the social ills in the country. He made this known in a tweet on X which said:

“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition.”

“Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere.”

“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,” Atiku stated.

Also, human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore supported the female corp member, noting she’s a hero and must be protected.

He said, “This young lady, Raye, whose TikTok name is @talktoRaye, is a hero of this moment in our national life; in fact, she is doing real national service in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),”

We must do everything to support her against the despicable, illegitimate, and undemocratically ruthless Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime. We won’t spare anything to protect her.”

“Saying that @officialabat is a terrible person /”president” is not an insult; it is a statement of fact. @officialnyscng has outlived its usefulness, if it was ever helpful at all, considering its deceptive origin and outright corrupt nature.”

“This youth CORP member, Raye, is from Cross River. She made these videos to speak up about the economic hardship facing Nigerians, and NYSC officials are now trying to shut her down. #IstandWithRaye #RevolutionNow.” Sowore stated.

Also, popular Comedian and activist Adedayo, known as Macaroni, has sent a message to NYSC and its officials over Raye’s case. The comedian who supported Raye’s words said that NYSC should not victim the corp member for telling the truth.

Mr. Macaroni stated via his X account, “To the DG, Coordinators, and every official of the NYSC!!! You cannot threaten, intimidate, or victimise any corper for expressing their views on the performance of the president. They are citizens with rights! The president is in office to serve the people, and every Nigerian, corper or not, has the right to hold their leaders accountable!!!”

He also came at the non-chalent attitudes of other Nigerians and slammed them for keeping quiet. He said, “I was expecting videos of youth corpers or non-youth corpers to voice out their anger on this incompetent govt. But let’s continue with the ‘e no concern me’ attitude. When those corpers pass out, they will come and queue up on the unemployment line.”

Recall that the Federal government failed to keep up with their promise of a #77,000 payment for Corp members’ allowance even after agreeing to pay them in February.

As of now, corpers are still receiving 33,000 against the 77k promise by the Tinubu-led administration.

However, Daily Report Nigeria has gathered that the corp member, Raye has been summoned by NYSC to appear in the Secretariat on Monday.

We will keep you updated on the resolution made on her case. Right now, her case is a very serious one as it could make or mar her.