Sowore Decries Injustice Against NYSC Member Raye Uguamaye, Pledges To Secure Justice.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has strongly condemned what he describes as a “gross injustice” against Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Raye was denied her discharge certificate on Thursday, 7 August 2025, following her vocal criticism of the Nigerian government, sparking widespread controversy.
The ordeal began in March 2025 when Raye posted a viral TikTok video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration, highlighting Nigeria’s economic hardships and describing the president as a “terrible leader.” She later alleged that NYSC officials pressured her to delete the video, threatening repercussions if she failed to comply. According to reports, the NYSC summoned Raye to appear before the Local Government Inspector (LGI) in Eti-Osa, Lagos, but the official was absent when she arrived with Sowore and her legal team, including lawyers Festus Ogun, Yinka Oyesomi, and Justice Ojienoh.
On 18 June 2025, Raye faced a disciplinary panel at the NYSC orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. After multiple delays, the NYSC extended her service year by two months, a decision Raye and civil rights groups condemned as retaliatory, aimed at silencing her dissent. This extension ultimately prevented her from receiving her discharge certificate at the end of her initial service period.
Sowore, in a statement on X on Saturday, 9 August 2025, vowed to stand by Raye until justice is served. “We promised to see that you got justice, and we will not give up until we all do,” he wrote, praising Raye’s courage and crediting her activism for securing an allowance increase for corps members. “It was Raye’s tenacity that pushed the authorities to raise the allowance for her colleagues. Her fight is our fight,” he added.
Civil rights organisations have also rallied behind Raye, accusing the NYSC of abusing its authority to suppress free speech. Prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, have voiced support, with Atiku comparing Raye to historical Nigerian female activists like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged President Tinubu to intervene and halt the NYSC’s actions against Raye.
However, the NYSC has denied claims that it extended Raye’s service as punishment for her video, though it has yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the certificate denial. The absence of NYSC officials during scheduled meetings has further fuelled accusations of misconduct, with Sowore alleging that the LGI “absconded” during one such encounter.
The case has ignited a broader debate on freedom of expression in Nigeria, with many questioning whether the NYSC’s actions reflect a wider clampdown on dissenting voices. Despite opposition from some quarters, including former presidential aide Reno Omokri, who argued that corps members should avoid political activism, public sentiment largely supports Raye’s right to speak out.
Sowore has vowed to escalate the matter, threatening mass protests at the NYSC’s Passing-Out-Parade if Raye’s certificate is not released. As the controversy deepens, Raye’s case continues to highlight the tensions between state institutions and individual rights in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
