The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi , has condemned the harassment of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, an NYSC Corper, over her comments about President Bola Tinubu and his administration. The NYSC corper had taken to her social media to call out the present administration over high cost of living as reported by NaijaEyes
Obi urged the government to refrain from intimidating the NYSC corper, warning against any form of intimidation. He criticized the current administration’s trend of silencing critics noting that the government has increasingly responded to dissent with threats rather than engagement.
He further emphasized that actions aimed at silencing critics are unacceptable, urging the government to tolerate constructive criticism rather than suppressing it.
He stated “The National Youth Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, recently had an experience that highlights a troubling trend in our nation—one where voices of reason and truth are met with intimidation rather than dialogue and engagement.
Reports indicate that she has faced threats from NYSC officials simply for expressing her concerns about the current administration.
This pattern is not isolated. I, too, have been subjected to threats for daring to offer constructive suggestions and comments.
I now face daily intimidation, harassment, and name-calling simply for expressing solution-based views on government policies.
Such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy. A government that silences its citizens is not democratic or one that is subject to accountability and good governance and is most often corrupt”
I urge the current administration to reflect deeply on its approach to dissent and recognize that constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democratic progress.
To all patriotic Nigerians: Our nation’s future and development depend on our collective courage to speak out against misgovernance, injustice, and intimidation.
Do not let fear stifle your voice. Stand firm, support one another, and continue to advocate for Nigeria we all envision—a nation where freedom of speech is sacrosanct, and leadership is accountable to the people, especially in critical areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
A just and prosperous Nigeria should be one where people like Raye are encouraged to speak out about the challenges they face, while those in government take urgent action to address these issues.
A New Nigeria is POssible! -PO”
Following this, The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed support for Ushie Uguamaye, the NYSC corper who criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration after she revealed threat messages she received from the NYSC board.
TUC President Festus Osifo, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, stated that the NYSC corper spoke as a result of frustration. He advised the government not to target the NYSC corper, but instead to be tolerant of critics, reiterating what Peter Obi said.
However, he stated that critics should do so with some level of decorum.
Osifo said, “They (government) have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. So, if they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals.
“Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function, what does she really have to do to bring down government? So, it is about personal frustration that she has aired.
“So, I think that the government has to persevere much more, they have to be more tolerant, and they have to have this deep level of patience with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”
Recall that Naija eyes reported that Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed support for the NYSC corper, also known as Raye. Read story here https://naijaeyesblog.com/politics/atiku-supports-nysc-corper/
Obi encouraged Nigerians to stand firm in expressing their right to free speech, emphasizing that the nation’s progress relies on citizens’ willingness to speak against wrongdoing, demand justice, and resist intimidation.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the story and the allegations of intimidation, the NYSC board is yet to issue an official statement addressing the issue.
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