Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and opposition leader, has condemned the alleged withholding of the discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Atiku questioned the motives behind the delay in issuing Ms Uguamaye her discharge certificate, describing the action as an “impunity.”
“What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics,” he asked. “I hope that Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s NYSC discharge certificate is not being withheld because she had the courage to complain about the economic hardship under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.”
Ms Uguamaye, popularly known as ‘Raye’ — who criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration — had, over the weekend, alleged that the authorities of the NYSC withheld her discharge certificate.
She alleged that the action of the Corps might have been a retaliation for her harsh criticisms of Mr Tinubu’s government.
In a video posted on social media, Ms Uguamaye accused her local government inspector (LGI) of the Corps of refusing to clear her for April despite her being present on the scheduled date.
Mr Atiku also described the withholding of Ms Uguamaye’s discharge certificate as unacceptable, saying the authorities in charge should release her document.
“It is unacceptable that the young lady, who had served her country without queries, should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out.
“The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate,” the opposition leader further said.
Ms Uguamaye gained public attention earlier this year after a viral TikTok video in which she criticised Mr Tinubu’s government over the economic hardship in the country and also described Lagos as a “smelling state.”
Renowned human rights activist Omoyele Sowore had accused the NYSC of punishing Ms Uguamaye for her criticism of Mr Tinubu’s administration.
The NYSC is yet to respond to the allegations.
When contacted on Sunday, the spokesperson for the NYSC, Edwin Megwa, did not immediately respond to several phone calls seeking a reaction over the development.
