A Lagos-based member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ushie Rita, has raised concerns over alleged threats she received after her video criticizing the economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration went viral.
In the widely shared footage, Rita expressed her frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation, lamenting that despite hard work, many citizens continue to struggle financially. She openly criticized President Tinubu, labeling him a “terrible leader,” while questioning the government’s efforts to address inflation and ease the burden on Nigerians.
Additionally, Rita made controversial remarks about Lagos State, describing it as a “smelling state” due to its poor living conditions and environmental challenges.
Alleged Threats and Intimidation
Following the video’s rapid circulation online, Rita claimed she began receiving threatening messages, allegedly from NYSC officials, urging her to delete the content. She also alleged that some officials attempted to track her down, intensifying her fears over potential repercussions.
Expressing her disappointment, Rita stated that she was merely voicing the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians and saw no reason to be intimidated for exercising her freedom of speech.
Rita’s Reaction to the Alleged Harassment
Taking to Instagram via her handle @iamraye__, she shared screenshots of messages purportedly pressuring her to take down the video. Defiant in her stance, she refused to delete it, arguing that doing so would only make her situation worse.
“Deleting this content is pointless because they already know who I am. If I take it down, whatever they do to me will go unnoticed. If they impose a severe punishment, nobody will know because I would have erased the evidence myself.”
She further alleged that NYSC officials were actively trying to identify her and criticized their approach, questioning why she was being treated like a criminal.
“All I did was express my frustrations. I simply asked questions. I never maliciously accused the government of anything. As an NYSC member, I didn’t sign away my right to free speech.”
According to Rita, she had since switched off her phone due to incessant calls and messages, adding that she even received personal details about herself via WhatsApp as a means to intimidate her.
“NYSC, if you claim a corps member has violated a rule, shouldn’t there be a formal process? Why resort to threats and intimidation? You are scaring me for my life.”
She concluded by emphasizing that freedom of speech is a fundamental right of every Nigerian citizen and questioned whether being a corps member automatically stripped her of that right.
Public Reaction and Debate on Free Speech
Rita’s allegations have sparked intense discussions on social media, with many Nigerians weighing in on the implications of her claims. While some sympathized with her, arguing that she was being unfairly targeted for speaking out, others questioned whether her remarks violated NYSC’s code of conduct.
The controversy has reignited debates on freedom of speech, particularly for corps members who serve under the NYSC scheme. Many are calling on the authorities to clarify the extent to which corps members can express their opinions without fear of intimidation or punishment.
As of now, the NYSC has yet to issue an official response regarding Rita’s claims. It remains to be seen whether she will face any disciplinary actions or if her concerns will prompt a broader conversation about free speech protections for corps members in Nigeria.
