NYSC vs Raye: LP faults withholding of discharge certificate

Labour Party (LP) has condemned the withholding of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye (Raye).

In March 2024, Uguamaye criticised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, lamenting the high cost of living, particularly in Lagos State, her place of primary assignment.

She had stated that the monthly allowance paid to corps members was too meagre to match the high cost of living.

In a viral video, she described President Bola Tinubu as a “terrible president”, a post that generated mixed reactions.

Her discharge certificate has now been withheld by the NYSC on the grounds that she missed her mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance.

On Monday, the LP reacted to the development, describing it as “authoritarian” to withhold the document.

It urged the government to “rein in overzealous state agents determined to turn Nigeria into a repressive state under the guise of protecting the regime.”

Mr Ken Asogwa, the Senior Special Adviser to the interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, speaking on her behalf, stated: “The NYSC’s claim that Raye’s certificate was withheld because she missed her mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance is nothing more than a deliberate attempt to ‘give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.’”

Raye, in a fresh Instagram post, raised the alarm, saying she went to the NYSC office only to be prevented from collecting her certificate.

The NYSC, however, explained that her certificate was withheld because she missed her mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance, a claim the LP rejected.

The party added: “According to Raye’s account, her Local Government Inspector (LGI) unjustly denied her the opportunity to complete the biometric process for that month.

“Independent findings corroborate her story: Raye presented herself at the LGI centre in April with all required documentation, only to be turned away by the official on duty.

“It is deeply regrettable that freedom of expression and the right to hold opinions – guaranteed under Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) – have effectively been criminalised by this intolerant APC government.

“What exactly did Raye say that is not already common knowledge? Is there any Nigerian today who does not know that this APC government is ‘terrible’ in its policy initiatives and implementations? Why, then, should she be victimised for merely echoing an open secret?

“While it is no secret that this government is hypersensitive and incapable of accommodating dissent, particularly regarding its lacklustre policies that have impoverished millions and plunged over 133 million Nigerians into multidimensional poverty in just two years, we urge President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate at least a pretence of tolerance.

“He should immediately direct the NYSC to issue Raye her discharge certificate, having fulfilled all lawful requirements. The president must also rein in overzealous state agents determined to turn Nigeria into a repressive state under the guise of protecting the regime.

“As this government continues its dangerous descent into authoritarianism, we call on all Nigerians to remain vigilant. Our democracy is endangered not only by the tyrannical impulses of this rudderless APC administration but also by the silence and acquiescence of men and women of good conscience.”

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE