Silencing Dissent? Corps Member Alleges Intimidation After Criticizing Government

A Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, has ignited a significant online debate after alleging that she is facing threats and intimidation following the widespread circulation of a video in which she openly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government for its handling of the escalating inflation and the severe economic hardship gripping the nation.

In the video, which she initially shared on her TikTok account, under the username "talktoraye," this past Saturday, Uguamaye articulated her deep frustration with the rapidly deteriorating economic conditions in Nigeria. She expressed her disillusionment with the sense of futility that hard work seemed to engender in the face of mounting financial struggles. She went further to directly criticize President Tinubu, labeling him a "terrible leader," and questioning the efficacy of the government's efforts to provide relief to citizens suffering under the weight of the economic crisis. In addition to her critique of the national economic policies, she also offered a scathing assessment of Lagos State, describing it as a "smelling state" and lamenting the unpleasant odors and generally poor living conditions prevalent in the region.

The video quickly gained significant traction online, sparking widespread discussion and debate. Shortly after its rise in popularity, Uguamaye alleged that she began receiving a series of threats, reportedly originating from officials within the NYSC, who were pressuring her to remove the contentious content from her social media platforms.

Feeling aggrieved and frustrated by the backlash she was experiencing, she took to her Instagram account, under the handle "#iamraye__," to publicly express her disappointment and indignation at what she perceived as a concerted effort to silence her. She maintained that she had merely spoken the truth about the harsh realities of life in Nigeria.

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 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.”

"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. #official asiwaju but I didn’t do anything wrong. I criticised your government and I demand that we are being heard."

She added, "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.

"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 on my freedom of speech.

"Leave me alone bruh. They keep calling me and I’ve switched off my phone. 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.”

Her allegations have sparked a widespread and vigorous debate on social media platforms, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the implications for freedom of speech, particularly for those serving in the NYSC. Numerous individuals have raised questions about whether the NYSC, as a government institution, is attempting to suppress dissenting voices and stifle critical commentary among its corps members. The incident has further intensified the ongoing discourse about the government's response to public criticism and the boundaries of free expression in Nigeria.

Posted on: Wed Mar 26 2025 Back to posts