Prominent human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday led a protest to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of the discharge certificate of Ms Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member whose service year was allegedly extended unjustly.
The protest came in the wake of serious allegations of political victimisation and abuse of office by NYSC officials, sparking widespread outrage among human rights advocates and legal practitioners.
Addressing the demonstrators, Sowore insisted that Ms Uguamaye had dutifully completed her national service and was entitled to her discharge certificate without delay. He accused the NYSC of being manipulated for political purposes and called for an urgent overhaul of accountability mechanisms within the organisation.
“The NYSC should not be used as a tool for political vendettas. Ms Uguamaye served her country and deserves her certificate. This is nothing short of injustice,” Sowore declared.
Legal representatives from Inibehe Effiong Chambers also joined the protest, formally submitting a petition to the NYSC Director-General on behalf of Ms Uguamaye. The letter, dated 11 August 2025, outlined grave allegations of targeted victimisation by a Local Government Inspector, Ms Veronica Abela.
According to the petition, Ms Uguamaye, who served with State Code Number LA/24B/8325, was deliberately denied biometric clearance in April 2025 despite presenting herself for the process on 7 April. The refusal, it was alleged, was in retaliation for her open criticism of the Tinubu administration’s policies.
“Our client duly presented herself for the said April 2025 biometric monthly clearance on the 7th day of April, 2025. However, her local government inspector, Ms Veronica Abela, in an act of deliberate and targeted victimisation, refused to screen her,” the letter stated.
The lawyers further alleged that Ms Uguamaye’s file was seized without justification and that she was not granted a fair hearing before the decision was made to extend her service year. The petition cited Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
The letter also accused the Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC of issuing threats, reportedly warning Ms Uguamaye that she would face consequences for her critical stance on government policies.
“The NYSC is established by statute as a neutral, non-partisan institution, and not as an apparatus for political retribution,” the petition read.
Inibehe Effiong, Principal Counsel at the Chambers, warned of further legal and political action should the NYSC fail to address the matter promptly.
“Take notice that failure to comply with our demands will leave our client with no option but to immediately lodge a formal appeal with the Presidency and seek redress in court,” the petition warned.
Despite the mounting pressure, the NYSC Director-General was unavailable to receive the protesters, as he was reportedly away on official assignment.
The protest marks yet another flashpoint in ongoing debates about transparency, fairness, and political interference in Nigeria’s public institutions.
