Atiku Slams Alleged Withholding of NYSC Certificate of Corps Member Who Criticised Tinubu

Story:
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the alleged withholding of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate from Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, a corps member who had publicly criticised the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

Atiku described the situation as “unacceptable” and warned that it would be troubling if the action was politically motivated. He stressed that no citizen should be punished for exercising their constitutional right to free expression.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the former vice president said:

> “What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics. I hope that Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s NYSC discharge certificate is not being withheld because she had the courage to complain about the economic hardship under the Tinubu administration. It is unacceptable that the young lady, who served her country without queries, should still be denied her certificate one year after passing out.”

Atiku urged the authorities to urgently intervene and ensure she receives her certificate, warning that incidents like this undermine public trust in national institutions.

Ushie, who completed her service year in Lagos, rose to prominence after a viral video in which she lamented worsening economic conditions. On Saturday, she revealed via Instagram that NYSC officials denied her certificate when she went to collect it with her colleagues, allegedly over a missed April clearance — a claim she firmly rejected.