Controversy Erupts as Corps Member Raye Faces Backlash for Speaking Out
A new controversy has emerged within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has claimed that NYSC officials absconded after summoning a corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, over her recent public criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye’s Viral Criticism of Tinubu Sparks Reactions
Raye recently gained widespread attention after a video she posted on TikTok under the handle #talktoraye went viral. In the video, she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, squarely blaming President Tinubu’s leadership for the hardship citizens are facing.
In a bold move, Raye even went as far as calling Tinubu a “terrible leader”, a statement that quickly stirred reactions online and reportedly attracted the attention of NYSC officials.
Shortly after her remarks gained traction, another video surfaced where Raye alleged that she was receiving threats from NYSC officials.
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NYSC Summons Raye, Then Reportedly Goes Into Hiding
Following her outspoken comments, Raye was summoned to appear before the Local Government Inspector (LGI) office of NYSC in Lagos for questioning on Monday, March 17, 2025.
However, she was not alone. Omoyele Sowore, alongside a team of legal practitioners, accompanied her to the Eti-Osa LGI office to ensure that due process was followed.
To their surprise, when they arrived, the NYSC officials were nowhere to be found.
Speaking with DAILY POST after the visit, Sowore stated:
“We accompanied Raye with some attorneys to the LGI office, but the officials absconded—they went into hiding.”
Sowore’s Reaction: “We Will Be Back”
Sowore also took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to give an update on the situation.
He wrote:
“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the National Youth Service Corps with Corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye in Lagos.
She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her with attorneys—Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi, and Ojienoh Justice.
But the LGI officials had absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay.
We will be back! #RevolutionNow #TinubuIsATerriblePresident.”
What Next?
The incident has raised serious questions about freedom of speech and political intimidation within Nigeria’s NYSC system.
- Was Raye targeted for simply expressing her opinion?
- Why did the NYSC officials fail to show up for a meeting they scheduled?
- Will there be consequences for officials who allegedly threatened her?
As tensions rise, all eyes remain on the NYSC and the federal government to see how they respond to these unfolding events.
