‘What manner of impunity is this’ — Atiku reacts to withholding of Raye’s NYSC certificate over economic hardship criticism

By Adetayo Omotoyosi Adeolu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the withholding of the discharge certificate of a former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, allegedly because of her public criticism of the economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

READ MORE: 10 affordable ‘Health Insurance’ options Lagosians can rely on

Raye made headlines a few months ago in a video where she publicly lambasted the Lagos state government and the administration of President Tinubu over the increasing hardship his policies have inflicted on Nigerians.

A few days after the video went viral, Raye reportedly received a warning from NYSC officials to take the video down or face disciplinary actions. However, she received support from Nigerians, including Atiku and Peter Obi, who praised her for the courage to speak out against the hardship of Tinubu’s policies.

ATTENTION: Follow The Lagos Voice on Whatsapp Channel for latest updates 

In the latest update, the embattled Raye took to her Instagram page and wrote: “After 1 year of moving to another man’s land, to serve my country, ended with no certificate and telling me to come for final verdict that we already know how it’ll end. “I genuinely wish I wasn’t a Lagos state Corper because it’s a waste of my time. I can’t say moving here was bad but serving here isn’t all pleasure.

“Just to add to it, they said the reason I’m not getting my certificate is because I didn’t clear myself for the month of April on my scheduled date. But what they aren’t saying is how I was present to get cleared, yet the LgI kept asking me to go to the back, and when she finally wanted to attend to me, she said she wouldn’t clear me.

READ MORE: Top 10 richest ‘Local Governments’ in Lagos

“She seized my file and told me to get out. This is a long story, and I don’t mind waking up at midnight to tell the story. The deep-rooted anger I feel and hatred is crazy because I don’t know who to direct it to. “But I wish myself the best. And I’m closing this chapter.”

Reacting to Raye’s allegations, Atiku expressed disappointment at the situation, questioning the motive behind the refusal to issue her NYSC discharge certificate, a major document needed for employment.

The former PDP Presidential candidate in 2023 wrote via his X handle, “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 President Bola Tinubu-led administration.”

READ MORE: Chioma Olise extends contract with Trabzonspor after impressive debut season

It is unacceptable that the young lady, who had served her country without queries, should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out. The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate”, Atiku added.