By Patrick Kelechi, Lagos
DAILY COURIER - Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the alleged threats and intimidation faced by a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, following her viral TikTok video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s government over worsening economic hardship. The human rights organization denounced the reported harassment by NYSC officials, emphasizing that Uguamaye was within her rights to express her frustrations over the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Amnesty International Nigeria criticized the authorities for allegedly threatening Uguamaye instead of addressing the pressing economic issues she highlighted. “It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should prioritize addressing the country’s economic woes,” the statement read.
Uguamaye’s video, which went viral on social media, openly called out President Tinubu’s leadership, referring to him as a “terrible leader” while lamenting the financial struggles that have made hard work feel futile. She also criticized the poor sanitation in Lagos State, describing it as a “smelling state.” However, shortly after the video gained traction, Uguamaye claimed she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the content.
Taking to Instagram, she expressed fears for her safety, revealing that her personal details had been leaked and that she was being pressured to report to the NYSC office. “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. Less than 24 hours, I’m already getting threatened by the government, starting with the NYSC board. They have my address. If you don’t see me online, you know who to hold accountable,” she wrote.
Amnesty International further accused the Nigerian authorities of attempting to silence dissenting voices instead of addressing the legitimate grievances of citizens. “The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for the Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the organization added.
The controversy has ignited a national debate on free speech, the role of the NYSC, and the government’s approach to public criticism. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to demand accountability, with the hashtag #ProtectRaye trending across platforms.
Meanwhile, the NYSC has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, the incident has intensified discussions about the shrinking space for public criticism in Nigeria, particularly as economic conditions continue to deteriorate.
