Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for nationwide support for a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Raye, who has reportedly been threatened by the NYSC board after posting a video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos State, gained widespread attention after sharing a tearful video on TikTok under the handle @talktoraye. In the video, she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, describing Tinubu as a “terrible” president and questioning the government’s response to the rising cost of living.
Sowore: Raye is a Hero
Reacting to the situation, Sowore strongly condemned the reported threats against Raye, calling the Tinubu administration “illegitimate” and vowing to support her.
“This young lady, Raye, whose TikTok name is @talktoraye, is a hero of this moment in our national life; in fact, she is doing real national service in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),” Sowore stated.
“We must do everything to support her against the despicable, illegitimate, and undemocratically ruthless Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime. We won’t spare anything to protect her.”
Sowore also criticized the NYSC, claiming it had outlived its usefulness.
Corps Member Raises Alarm Over Threats
Raye disclosed that after posting the video, she received multiple calls from NYSC officials instructing her to take it down. She released a follow-up video, stating that an NYSC official had scolded her over the phone, saying, “Are you normal? Come on, keep quiet there. Pull down that rubbish you put there. You are not talking to your mate.”
She expressed concerns about her safety, emphasizing that the NYSC has access to corps members’ personal details, including their addresses.
“These people know my address and where I live, and now they’ve begun threatening me,” she said.
Raye also highlighted the financial struggles corps members face, lamenting that the NYSC allowance is no longer sufficient to cover basic expenses.
“I went to buy foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. Every week, prices keep increasing. The money I spend on transportation is more than my NYSC allowance. Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?” she asked.
Public Reactions and the Debate on Free Speech
The situation has sparked reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on national issues. Some argue that as citizens, they have the right to voice concerns about government policies affecting their daily lives.
Sowore’s public backing of Raye has further fueled the conversation on free speech and government accountability. Calls for her protection continue to gain traction, with many Nigerians using the hashtag #IStandWithRaye# on social media.
The NYSC is yet to officially respond to the controversy.
