Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, Mr Peter Obi, has said the pattern of intimidation adopted by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to silence opposing views of people, discourages free speech and makes it difficult for the country to progress.
Obi, who stated this while speaking on the position of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Miss Ushie Rita Uguamaye, who was allegedly facing threats from officials of the Scheme following her criticisms of Tinubu’s economic policies that have made life difficult for Nigerians, warned that suppressing dissenting voice undermines democracy and good governance.
This was as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, has clarified his post on the need for capital punishment to be meted out to the youth corper, for being rude to the president in a TikTok video posting.
At the same time, women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has warned that it would take legal action against the NYSC over alleged harassment and intimidation of thecorper serving in Lagos State.
Obi, in a statement on X, stressed that a government that silences its citizens often lacks accountability and transparency.
While condemning the alleged intimidation of the Miss Ushie Rita Uguamaye, Obi urged the Tinubu administration to embrace dialogue as against repression on the issue of the NYSC corps member.
Obi shared his own experiences with harassment, saying he had faced threats and name-calling simply for offering constructive criticism of government policies and therefore called on Nigerians not to be intimidated into silence but to continue to advocate justice and accountability.
“Nigeria should be a country where citizens can voice their frustrations without fear and where leaders take immediate action to address pressing issues,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra State said listening to citizens’ concerns was essential for national development, especially in key sectors like education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Ajayi Denies Calling for Corper’s Killing
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, has clarified his post on the need for capital punishment to be meted out to a youth corper, Ms. Ushe Uguamaye, for being rude to President Bola Tinubu in a TikTok video posting.
Ajayi, in a statement, said at no point did he call for the killing of the corper.
He stated that his earlier Facebook posting was twisted out of its original meaning by mischief makers to suit their purpose.
The presidential aide confirmed he actually called for capital punishment to be meted out to the corper, which was expulsion under the NYSC by-laws and protocol.
“It has become imperative to dispel the misrepresentation and patent mischief that has trailed my comment on a Facebook post.
“I suggested that flagrant and open abuse and disregard of NYSC by-laws and established protocol should attract the full NYSC disciplinary measures, particularly regarding a corps member’s recent display of imprudence.
“It is trite to say the maximum punishment under the NYSC protocol is expulsion; nothing beyond the established norms and laws is suggested or remotely implied.
“The NYSC scheme is a historic and treasured national programme that should not be sullied and ridiculed by indiscipline. It symbolises our triumph over division and consistent effort to forge a more potent and virile union.
“Most importantly, we should abide by our old cherished values of dignity, discipline, and respect for one another as citizens.”
The SSA also made further clarifications on his Facebook saying, “The mob get their oxygen from misrepresentations and deliberate mischief.
“I made comments under a post where I advertently wrote that what the lady corper did should attract capital punishment under NYSC which means her indiscretion should attract highest punishment under the NYSC scheme. The highest punishment under NYSC is expulsion.
“There was a follow-up comment under same thread where I provided the context in my usage of capital punishment under NYSC as a metaphor. The follow-up comment that explained the previous comment was ignored.
“It is common sense that there is no death penalty anywhere as punishment under NYSC law.”
WELA Threatens to Sue NYSC
Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has warned that it would take legal action against the NYSC over alleged harassment and intimidation of Uguamaye.
In a statement issued by WELA’s Founder and Chairperson, Mrs. Funmi Falana, SAN, the organisation condemned the reported threats against Uguamaye, stressing that any further intimidation would lead to a fundamental human rights lawsuit against her Local Government Inspector (LGI) and the NYSC.
“We call on the NYSC leadership to immediately put an end to any form of intimidation against Miss Uguamaye and to respect the rights of all corps members to freely express themselves without fear of persecution,” the statement read.
WELA further emphasised that freedom of speech was a constitutional right and that no Nigerian should face reprisals for expressing their opinions.
Uguamaye had, in a viral TikTok video, expressed frustration over Nigeria’s economic hardships, criticizing the government and describing the president as a “terrible leader.”
She also voiced dissatisfaction with Lagos State’s living conditions.
Following the video’s circulation, Uguamaye alleged that NYSC officials demanded she delete the post and that she was being targeted for speaking out.
In a subsequent video, she stated “Dear Nigerians, they have my address. In case you don’t see me online, please know who to hold accountable. I didn’t do anything wrong. I just spoke the truth about inflation and economic hardship. Why can’t I speak up?”
She also accused an NYSC official of trying to identify her publicly, stating: “I am not a criminal. NYSC rules do not say I committed any crime. Why am I being hunted down for exercising my right to free speech?”
WELA has vowed to take immediate legal steps if the harassment continues, urging the NYSC to respect the constitutional rights of corps members.
