Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has commended the courage of Ushie Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos, who recently came under fire for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government over the state of the economy.
In a post on his verified X account on Sunday, Atiku described the corps member, popularly known as Raye on social media, as a symbol of a new generation of Nigerian women who are fearless in demanding accountability and transparency in governance.
He noted that her boldness and outspokenness reflect the spirit of iconic female activists who championed the cause of social justice in Nigeria’s history.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart praised her for daring to speak truth to power in the face of criticism and intimidation, and maintained that voices like hers should be encouraged rather than silenced.
He tweeted, “Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere.
“I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition.
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“She follows in the footsteps of formidable trailblazers like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and countless other women who have stood resolute in defense of the common good.
“Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us, ready to shape a better future.”
Raye has been trending on Nigeria’s social media platforms since Saturday after a video she posted on her TikTok account went viral. In the video, she decried Nigeria’s economic hardship and inflation, expressing frustration that hard work no longer translates into financial stability.
She criticised President Bola Tinubu, labelling him a “terrible leader” and questioning what the government was doing to ease citizens’ suffering.
She also took a swipe at the alleged poor living conditions in Lagos State, which she described as a “smelling state.”
Shortly after the video gained attention, Raye claimed she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the post.
She took to her Instagram page to express her disappointment at what she described as an attempt to stifle her voice, insisting she had only spoken the truth about the country’s reality.
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