NYSC member in viral anti-Tinubu video facing pressure from senators, other politicians, says Sowore

There have been so much pressure on her. Her senators are calling her, threatening her, offering her all kinds of opportunities if she can just go away.

Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that the female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, serving in Lagos State is facing intense pressure and threats from her senators and other influential figures for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, who made the revelation in an interview on Arise News TV’s News Night on Monday night, said that there is no regime in recent history that has victimised young people like the Tinubu regime.

He said, “There is a difference between people speaking truth to power and the charade Tinubu government is planning.

“There is no regime in recent history that has victimised young people like the Tinubu regime. You saw what they did to underaged kids who were charged for treason last year 2024 after the August protests.”

He further accused the government of suppressing dissent, recalling the case of underaged protesters charged with treason in 2024 following the August protests.

“You saw what they are doing with the Cybercrime Act, victimising, arresting, harassing young people, and they have a whole army of influencers who harass, who cancel out people who are opposed to the President and his policies. That is exactly what is happening to this young lady,” he said.

Sowore dismissed the youth conference being organised by the Tinubu administration, labeling it as a gathering of political loyalists rather than a genuine forum for young Nigerians.

He said, “The youth conference that they set up a committee for is not the conference for the young people. It is a conference for the association of the friends of the President and his son.”

Sowore also rejected claims that Uguamaye had violated any NYSC regulations by speaking up about hardships.

With regard to discipline in the NYSC which some people are criticising the corps member for, Sowore said, “There is no point of the NYSC Act that says that Nigerians cannot complain if they are facing hardship.”

He noted that despite President Tinubu’s announcement that corps members would receive N77,000 per month following an increase in workers’ salaries, they still earn N33,000 monthly.

“President Tinubu had announced that corps members are supposed to receive N77,000 per month after he increased salaries of workers. Even though that is too small, these corps members are still receiving N33,000 per month.

“To claim that there is one NYSC Act or discipline that says you can’t complain, you can’t say that things are terrible is just an attempt to silence her,” he noted.

Sowore emphasised that the NYSC Act, first enacted in 1973 and later amended under various military regimes, does not override the fundamental right to free speech.

He said, “The NYSC Act, which is a decree promulgated in 1973 and amended by several military people cannot supersede what is known universally as the right to free speech.

“She is expressing herself freely as guaranteed by international instruments. She has her fundamental right to complain and you can’t beat a baby and ask the baby not to cry.”

He also pointed out that corps members play an active role in national politics, including conducting elections, and some have even lost their lives in the process.

“The NYSC itself makes provision for political enlightenment groups as part of their community service. NYSC members are allowed to go and conduct elections. During 2021 or thereabouts, they were killed in the line of duty.

“So, people who die for your country during elections are not good enough to speak when they are facing hardship, I don’t know what kind of discipline they are talking about.”

Sowore further stressed that anybody who tries to muffle the voices of dissent has and will fail spectacularly.

He noted that there are videos already making the rounds where other corps members are making bold declaration about sociopolitical conditions of Nigeria.

“This national service is not a personal service to the President or to a governor. It is a national service, and this young lady is doing the real national service we need at this time.

“She is raising her voice on behalf of millions of Nigerians who are frustrated, who are dejected and who have been debased by the current regime,” Sowore said.

For the argument that corps members are like the military who are under oath of allegiance not to speak against the country or the regime, Sowore said, “We are not under military rule anymore.

“If there was a military oath of allegiance, they have no place under civilian rule. And that is why we fought against the military.

“There have been so much pressure on her. Her senators are calling her, threatening her, offering her all kinds of opportunities if she can just go away. But they are only trying to close the ban’s door after the horse has bolted. It is too late now.”

Uguamaye, who is currently serving in Lagos, voiced her frustration over Nigeria’s rising inflation, questioning the government’s efforts to address economic hardships.

In her video, she had lamented the continuous increase in food prices and described President Tinubu as a “terrible” leader.

In the viral video, Uguamaye expressed deep frustration over the cost of living crisis in Nigeria, stating, “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?”

“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 don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you. But you are such a terrible president,” she added.