Ushie Uguamaye, a youth corps member serving in Lagos State, has urged citizens to hold the Nigerian government accountable if anything happens to her.
She made this call after criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the economic hardship resulting from inflation via her TikTok page bearing talktoraye on Saturday.
In the video, she highlighted the effect of the economy on her as a National Youth Service Corps member while lamenting that the financial strain has dragged her into a depressed state.
She described Tinubu as a terrible leader while calling for his urgent intervention in the suffering of Nigerians and added that Lagos State, where she serves, “smells” with poor living conditions.
Following the upload, the Tiktoker said she has then been receiving threat after the video was sent to her NYSC group, prompting a call from NYSC officials, requesting to take down the video.
While expressing her disappointment over the attempts to silence her on her Instagram #iamraye__, she wrote,, “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. Less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government starting with the NYSC board!.
“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.
“Why can’t I speak up? Being an NYSC corper doesn’t mean I signed up my right to complain.
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“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.”
The corp memeber noted further, “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.
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“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 of 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 using 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.”
Nitizens reaction
In regard to the development that has spiked widespread reactions from netizens, some are of the opinion that she has violated the code of conduct of upholding the constitution, while others are calling for her safety.
Debby_debra, an X user noted, “People often overlook the broader implications of issues, focusing solely on activism. As part of their induction, corps members take an oath to uphold laws, regulations, and guidelines. Compliance with these rules is mandatory. The woman who admonished her assumed she was speaking to someone familiar with the scheme’s rules, much like her own daughter.
An x user, AdeeyoTolani2 added, “A lot is wrong with the video she made..there’s a freedom of speech but that freedom should be watched.. NYSC has Bye laws that guide you which restrict you from speaking against your Government.. Nigerians and emotions are like 5&6.
Sule_zarto said, “Is the Nysc rules and regulations above the constitution that guaranteed freedom of speech. Don’t be sentimental please.
Chiukwujioke, “If Nigerian youth allow a finger on her by the Government, then we are all failures. I think, she’s the one to spark the long awaited revolution. We are waiting. We must all stand by her now…. Enough is enough.
Another nitizen, Opera Isiocha added, “That woman must be identified and shown to Nigerians so that they know who she is in case anything happens to that lady. What a country.
Samson Ajisafe, another X user expressed concern over her mental health that should be checked, “Anyone threatening this innocent, frustrated young lady is an enemy of this govt and govt shd disown them, this young lady is frustrated and her condition should not be worsen pls.
