The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has denied claim that it extended the service period of Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye.
Uguamaye, is a Lagos corps members who became known after criticising the President Bola Tinubu administration in a viral video shared on her TikTok account @talktoraye.
She described Tinubu as a “terrible leader” over his failure to alleviate Nigerians from economic hardship.
She also called Lagos State a “smelly state” and lamented over its “poor living conditions”.
Uguamaye subsequently shared another post alleging that she was being threatened by some NYSC officials demanding that she delete the videos, which she insisted on, noting that she was only speaking her truth.
Her claims quickly generated criticism of the NYSC from several Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and activist Omoyele Sowore.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Sowore shared on his social media account that the NYSC “punitively extends Raye’s service year by 2 months for criticising Tinubu’s administration over hardship”, Sowore vowed to protest at the NYSC passing out parade”.
He added, “This Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime might go down with Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps matter.”
However, NYSC Acting Director, Press and Public Relations, Carol Embu, dismissed Sowore’s claim and noted that the decision to extend service period only comes at the time a corps member is passing out.
The NYSC official noted that Uguamaye is still serving and cannot determine if her service period would be extended at the moment.
“Who is Sowore? Does he work with the NYSC? So, how come you are listening to him? I don’t understand how she will get an extension if she is still serving,” but told the Punch Newspaper.
“NYSC is not an irresponsible organisation; we work with rules and regulations. She is still serving; if she has any issues, we will wait and see.”
