By Ayodele Oni
Amnesty International, has described as unacceptable the seizure of the discharge Certificate of Rita Uguamaye, a youth corps member who criticised the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu.
The Global Rights Group urged the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to immediately release the discharge certificate of corps member, popularly known as “Raye,” accusing the scheme of punishing her for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies.
Also, former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore also condemned the NYSC, vowing to stand by Raye.
He credited her courage with pushing the scheme to raise corps members’ allowance to ₦77,000, insisting, “Her fight is our fight.”
The NYSC had earlier extended her service by two months in what rights groups described as punishment for her criticism.
In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty described the NYSC’s decision as “unacceptable intolerance of dissenting voices” and an attack on free speech
“The NYSC must rescind its arbitrary and outrageous decision to deny Rita Ushei, widely known as Raye, her discharge certificate after completing her service.
“Withholding her certificate may not be unconnected with her social media comments on Nigeria’s economic hardship,” the group said.
Amnesty maintained that it was within Raye’s right to peacefully express dissatisfaction with government policies, warning authorities to stop using “abuse of power and intimidation” against citizens who speak out.
Raye had in March posted a viral TikTok video where she tearfully lamented the rising cost of living, accusing President Tinubu of failing to tackle inflation.
She also criticised the NYSC allowance as inadequate to meet basic needs. Her comments sparked threats, with NYSC officials reportedly calling and warning her to delete the video. Amnesty said such intimidation violated both the Nigerian constitution and international human rights law.
Amnesty pointed out that millions of Nigerians were facing worsening hardship and should not be silenced for speaking the truth.
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