2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has reacted to the cry out of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a Corps member serving in Lagos State who received threats from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after she posted a video on social media expressing her frustration with the increasing cost of living in Nigeria.
In the TikTok video, the Corps member tearfully criticized President Tinubu’s administration for allegedly neglecting the issue of rising commodity prices, describing his government as “terrible”.
In the video, she said: “If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government. I just want to say to our president, I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
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Visibly upset, the Corps member also detailed how her expenses have significantly exceeded her NYSC allowance, making her participation in the program financially burdensome.
“So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up? Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills. The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell? Being an NYSC Corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme. The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
Within a day of her initial video criticizing President Tinubu, the Corps member posted a follow-up video showing her receiving phone calls from an NYSC official.
The official in the video was heard asking the Corp member, “Are you normal?” The voice continued, “Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted,” she said.
The Corps member explained that she received multiple calls from NYSC officials instructing her to cease criticizing the government and to remove the video she had posted.
See video below:
Read Also: Sowore Reacts Strongly As Corp Member Cries Out Over Threat By NYSC For Calling Tinubu’s Government ‘Terrible’
Obi took to X to share his own view on the trending issue.
He wrote: The National Youth Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, recently had an experience that highlights a troubling trend in our nation—one where voices of reason and truth are met with intimidation rather than dialogue and engagement.
Reports indicate that she has faced threats from NYSC officials simply for expressing her concerns about the current administration.
This pattern is not isolated. I, too, have been subjected to threats for daring to offer constructive suggestions and comments.
I now face daily intimidation, harassment, and name-calling simply for expressing solution-based views on government policies.
Such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy.
A government that silences its citizens is not democratic or one that is subject to accountability and good governance and is most often corrupt.
I urge the current administration to reflect deeply on its approach to dissent and recognize that constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democratic progress.
To all patriotic Nigerians: Our nation’s future and development depend on our collective courage to speak out against misgovernance, injustice, and intimidation.
Do not let fear stifle your voice. Stand firm, support one another, and continue to advocate for Nigeria we all envision—a nation where freedom of speech is sacrosanct, and leadership is accountable to the people, especially in critical areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
A just and prosperous Nigeria should be one where people like Raye are encouraged to speak out about the challenges they face, while those in government take urgent action to address these issues.
A New Nigeria is POssible! -PO
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