Human rights activist and former AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore led a protest on Tuesday at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, demanding that the discharge certificate of corps member Rita Uguamaye—popularly known as Raye—be released immediately. Sowore accused NYSC of punitive measures against her for speaking out against the current administration.
Raye, who completed her service year, claims her certificate was withheld after she criticised President Tinubu’s administration, describing Lagos as “smelling,” condemning poor living conditions, and calling the NYSC scheme “not beneficial.” Although she later apologised, NYSC cited a missed April biometric clearance, extending her service by two months.
“Sowore called on Nigerians to join him in protesting. ‘She is the only one who criticised the president and ended up being denied her discharge certificate. We see a clear connection between her statement and the punishment,’” he said.
He further insisted Raye had proof of attempting to complete the clearance: “She has shown evidence that she went to do the clearance, but they refused to process it.”