April 02, (THEWILL) – A Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, recently ignited a social media storm with a viral video expressing her profound frustration over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
She pointedly criticized the President’s leadership style, labeling it as “terrible.”
Overcome by emotion, the young corps member tearfully recounted her inability to afford basic necessities like a crate of eggs in a nation often described as having abundant resources. Her candid outburst, as is typical, drew a spectrum of reactions, both supportive and critical.
For many discerning Nigerians, Uguamaye’s sentiments merely echoed the harsh realities faced daily since the inception of Tinubu’s administration in 2023.
Her video, though from an unexpected voice, served as a potent reinforcement of the prevailing hardship across the country.
Ironically, the current administration had pledged during its campaigns to ensure the affordability of these very essential goods, only to seemingly renege upon assuming office – a familiar and unfortunate pattern for Nigerians during and after electoral cycles.
While countless citizens endure their struggles silently, someone had to take the bold step of speaking truth to power. Ushie Rita Uguamaye, in essence, did just that on behalf of numerous Nigerians.
She deserves commendation for bringing the stark reality of the adversities facing the populace to the President’s attention.
The government had not only promised an increase in corps members’ allowances from N33,000 to N77,000 but also announced an effective implementation date. Yet, this promise remained unfulfilled until recently.
It is plausible that Uguamaye’s public outcry played a significant role in the eventual disbursement of the new NYSC allowance. It is regrettable that the government appears to have resorted to face-saving measures in fulfilling its obligations.
Predictably, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Temitope Ajayi, in what seemed like a rushed attempt to demonstrate his diligence (where critics argue little exists), echoed previous administrations by suggesting that the corps member deserved severe punishment for daring to voice the widely felt concerns about the President’s leadership.
Ajayi argued that while ordinary citizens might have the right to criticize the President, a corps member should be exempt from such rights. This raises a fundamental question: when did the right to freedom of expression cease to apply to NYSC members in Nigeria?
One is also compelled to ask what could be more “terrible” than subjecting a majority of the population to live below the poverty line in a nation as richly endowed as Nigeria? Those whose policies have deliberately strangled the nation deserve far greater scrutiny than Ushie.
Following her initial video, Uguamaye released another, drawing attention to alleged threats from NYSC officials who were reportedly pressuring her to remove the initial video.
She posted, “Dear Nigerians, I am already getting threatened by the NYSC board to stop speaking on this issue. They have my address. If you don’t see me online, you know who to hold accountable.”
Meanwhile, Uguamaye’s stance on President Tinubu’s leadership, as expressed in her video, and her allegations against the NYSC have generated considerable concern among Nigerians.
Numerous well-meaning individuals and organisations have voiced their opinions on the matter, both in support and against her actions.
Her exercise of free speech resonated with many, while others criticized her chosen method of expressing grievances. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), lauded her courage and resilience.
Atiku described her as representative of a new generation of politically conscious women, drawing parallels with past female activists like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo. “Rather than being met with hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support.
She represents the promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us,” Atiku stated. Similarly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) called on President Tinubu to intervene, urging the NYSC to cease its alleged intimidation of Uguamaye.
“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. The NYSC must end this intimidation and guarantee her safety,” SERAP asserted.
Effective crisis management, a crucial aspect of Public Relations, is often conspicuously absent within government image-building efforts during turbulent times.
Instead of employing professionalism in addressing governance-related crises or even the legitimate concerns of ordinary citizens regarding harsh government policies, designated officials often damage the government’s reputation with their statements and actions, frequently displaying a show of power and ego. Indeed, the overwhelmingly rash approach of government officials like Ajayi in addressing this issue demonstrated a lack of tact and a poor understanding of public relations.
This further exacerbates existing perceptions and deepens the trust deficit between the government and the governed.
The alleged threats emanating from the National Youth Service Corps, pressuring Ushie to delete her video under threat of consequences, were petty and unwarranted, just as Ajayi’s outburst was equally inappropriate.
It is imperative to remind the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) that while Section 9(2) of the NYSC Act prohibits corps members from engaging in partisan politics, it does not, in any way, deny them their fundamental right to freedom of speech.
Furthermore, Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression.
The corps member’s expression was not partisan; rather, her voice amplified the silent suffering and murmurs of countless Nigerians grappling with the severe economic hardship affecting everyone. The issues raised by Ushie are valid, pertinent, and undeniable.
Therefore, the government’s focus should be on salvaging its battered image by addressing its shortcomings, rather than compounding the already excruciating pain inflicted on the populace by attempting to suppress legitimate concerns.
Times are undeniably tough in Nigeria. The palpable hardship, helplessness, and hopelessness are evident. One thing is clear: the Nigerian economy is in a dire state, and the nation is in desperate need of solutions. Citizens have been enduring significant hardship since the inception of this administration.
Only the very young may not fully grasp the extent of the distress. The cost of living has skyrocketed, with prices of goods and services fluctuating daily. Even the affluent are feeling the strain. Is the President truly aware of the enormity of the pain and anguish that his government’s policies have caused across the country?
Those close to the President would do him a great service by conveying the unvarnished truth. Nigerians are called upon to speak out against the government’s apparent vindictive approach towards the corps member. Ushie Rita Uguamaye, after all, has voiced a truth that resonates with many.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication and Head of Internationalisation and Partnership at Coal City University, Enugu.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze
