A Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos on Monday went into hiding after summoning a corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, over her viral social media post criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
This is even as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, on Monday refuted claims that he called for the death of the corper.
Trouble staryed after Rita posted a video on TikTok under the handle @talktoraye, where she tearfully expressed frustration over the rising cost of goods in Nigeria.
She described Tinubu as a “terrible” President and accused the government of neglecting the economic hardship faced by citizens.
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she said in the TikTok video.
“I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
She further lamented the financial struggles she faces as a corps member, stating that the monthly NYSC allowance is insufficient to cover basic living expenses.
According to her, she often spends more than she earns due to the skyrocketing cost of essentials.
She said, “So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up?
“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills.
“The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
Her emotional post quickly gained attention, prompting a response from the NYSC board.
She was summoned by the NYSC LGI to appear at the Eti-Osa Local Government office at 10 a.m. on Monday.
However, when she arrived with former Presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and her legal representatives, the official who issued the summons was absent.
Giving an update on the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore stated, “We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the National Youth Service Corps with youth Corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye in Lagos.
“She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys, Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi and Ojienoh Justice but LGI official had absconded failing to show up throughout our stay.
“We will be back! #RevolutionNow #tinubuisaterriblepresident.”
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, on Monday refuted claims that he called for the death of a National Youth Service Corps member who recently flouted NYSC bye-laws.
In a statement titled, ‘Statement on My Twisted Comment on the Corps Member,’ Ajayi clarified that his initial remarks on a Facebook post were misrepresented, emphasising that the maximum penalty provided by the NYSC’s regulations is expulsion—not bodily harm.
“I suggested that flagrant and open abuse and disregard of NYSC by-laws and established protocol should attract the full NYSC disciplinary measures, particularly regarding a corps member’s recent display of imprudence,” Ajayi stated.
