A recent viral TikTok video has sparked intense controversy in Nigeria, with a presidential aide calling for “capital punishment” against a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie ‘Raye’ Uguamaye.
The corps member had criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, expressing frustration over Nigeria’s rising inflation and economic hardships.
In the video, Uguamaye lamented the continuous increase in food prices, describing President Tinubu as a “terrible” leader. Presidential aide Temitope Ajayi reacted strongly, arguing that the corps member had violated the NYSC code of conduct and should face the ultimate punishment.
Ajayi’s comments have been met with widespread condemnation, with human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong defending Uguamaye’s right to free speech.
Effiong stated that criticizing the president or government is not an offense under the NYSC Act or Bye-Laws, and that Uguamaye’s comments were within her constitutional rights.
Amnesty International has also weighed in, condemning the alleged threats and intimidation by the NYSC against Uguamaye.
The organization emphasized that Uguamaye had the right to express her views peacefully and urged the government to focus on addressing the concerns she raised rather than pressuring her to delete her video.
Despite calls for punishment from the president’s aide, legal experts insist that the corps member has not violated any laws and should not face any form of persecution for her opinions.
