NYSC vs Raye: Sowore Declares War on ‘Vindictive Punishment’

By Ekanem ASUQUO 

Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to challenge what he described as the “vindictive and wicked” decision by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to deny corps member Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, her discharge certificate after completing her one-year service.

Speaking on Saturday, Sowore accused the NYSC of retaliating against Raye for her public criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration earlier in the year.

“Raye spoke truth to power, and because of that, the system came after her,” Sowore said in a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter). “We promised her we would fight, and that promise stands. This injustice will not stand unchallenged.”

The corps member went viral in March when she posted a video lamenting the hunger, poverty, and hardship facing ordinary Nigerians. Rather than address the concerns, the NYSC allegedly issued threats and pressured her to take down the post.

Sowore recounted accompanying Raye to an NYSC meeting in Eti-Osa, Lagos, where, according to him, officials attempted to intimidate her. “They summoned her, and when we showed up with her legal team, the person who sent the summons disappeared,” he said.

On June 18, Raye appeared before a disciplinary panel at the Iyana Ipaja orientation camp. Weeks later, NYSC authorities officially extended her service by two months, preventing her from participating in the Passing-Out Parade with her peers.

“This is textbook oppression,” Sowore fumed. “They want to make an example of her so other corps members stay silent. But we will make an example of them. We will fight in the streets, in the media, and in court until this sham decision is overturned.”

He linked the case to a wider crackdown on dissent, citing his own recent detention. “It’s the same playbook , silence the critics, punish the dissidents, protect the oppressors,” he said.

Civil society groups have begun rallying behind Raye, warning that the NYSC’s actions undermine free expression and the credibility of the scheme.

 Sowore urged Nigerians to keep up the pressure, insisting, “We will not rest until Raye gets her certificate ,and her dignity back.”