Omoyele Sowore offers his support to Ushie Rita Uguamaye, the NYSC member facing backlash for criticising President Tinubu’s administration

Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has publicly thrown his support behind Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who has faced widespread backlash following a viral video criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Also read: Omoyele Sowore rejects bail conditions, chooses to remain in police custody

Sowore, known for his advocacy of free speech and political dissent, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, sharing a video in which he revealed that he had met with Uguamaye in Lagos.

He further announced that he would be accompanying her to the NYSC Local Government Inspector’s (LGI) office, alongside a team of attorneys, in support of her rights.

“The journey with youth Corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, has commenced in Lagos. She is scheduled to appear before the LGI today and we will escort her to their offices. We are all en route with attorneys,” Sowore captioned the video.

The controversy surrounding Uguamaye began when she posted a video on TikTok, lamenting the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria and openly criticising President Tinubu’s leadership.

The video quickly went viral, igniting a national debate on the limits of free speech and political expression in the country.

In the wake of the backlash, Uguamaye claimed she had received threats, further heightening the tensions surrounding her comments.

She also shared a screenshot of an invitation from the NYSC, summoning her to appear before the LGI office in Eti Osa 3 on Monday at 10:00 a.m.

Sowore’s involvement in the case has brought even more attention to the matter, drawing focus to the growing concerns about political dissent and freedom of expression in Nigeria.

His support signals a broader political stance in defence of Uguamaye’s rights, even as she faces potential consequences from the NYSC or other authorities.

Also read: Protests: Sahara Reporters’ boss, Omoyele Sowore, criticised over inciting social media post

As of now, the NYSC has yet to issue an official statement regarding Uguamaye’s case. However, the situation continues to evolve, with many watching closely to see what actions will be taken next.