Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly withholding the discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, describing the action as “unacceptable” and possibly politically driven.
In a statement via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Atiku expressed concern that the action could be linked to Raye’s [/b]public criticism of economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics,” Atiku wrote.“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.”
He stressed that it was wrong to deny a citizen their NYSC certificate for exercising free speech, especially someone who had completed her service without disciplinary issues.
“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.
He urged the authorities to act immediately, warning that such actions erode public trust in national institutions.
“The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate,” Atiku added.
Raye, who served in Lagos State, gained public attention earlier this year after a viral video in which she lamented rising living costs and the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
On Saturday, she revealed via Instagram that she was denied her certificate during the official collection exercise. NYSC officials reportedly claimed she failed to complete her April clearance, a claim she has strongly disputed.
According to Raye, she presented herself for clearance but was repeatedly told by her Local Government Inspector (LGI) to wait.
She alleged that the LGI eventually refused to process her clearance, seized her file, and ordered her out of the office.
In a vlog and accompanying caption, Raye expressed deep frustration, calling her service year in Lagos “a waste of time” and questioning the fairness of the NYSC process.
The NYSC is yet to issue an official response to the allegations as of the time of this report.
Political observers note that Atiku’s intervention adds weight to the growing public discourse on the NYSC’s handling of the case. His statement has already been widely shared online, with many Nigerians expressing solidarity with Raye and demanding transparency in the agency’s decision-making process.
Atiku’s comments follow similar condemnations from civil society groups, human rights advocates, and prominent figures who have argued that withholding a certificate for political or retaliatory reasons undermines the fundamental rights of citizens. They have stressed that service completion should be judged strictly on adherence to the NYSC’s official guidelines, not on personal political beliefs or public statements.
Close associates of Raye have indicated that she intends to pursue legal remedies if the matter is not resolved swiftly. Legal experts have suggested that she could file for judicial review, compelling the NYSC to either issue the certificate or present documented, lawful grounds for its denial.
Public reaction has been intense on social media, with hashtags calling for justice trending across platforms. Many users have compared Raye’s situation to previous cases where whistleblowers or outspoken youth faced administrative retaliation, warning that such incidents discourage civic engagement and criticism of government policy.
Some former corps members have come forward to share similar experiences of alleged bureaucratic intimidation during their service year. These testimonies, while anecdotal, have increased calls for an independent review of NYSC’s disciplinary and clearance procedures to ensure they are not misused for punitive purposes.
Analysts also point out that the controversy comes at a time of broader debate over the relevance, structure, and fairness of the NYSC scheme in modern Nigeria. The outcome of Raye’s case could influence policy discussions on reforms to protect participants’ rights while preserving the programme’s objectives.
As of now, the NYSC has maintained public silence on the allegations, though internal sources suggest that a review may be underway. Whether this will lead to a reversal of the decision or further legal confrontation remains to be seen.
Atiku concluded his remarks by reminding the authorities that institutions like the NYSC must remain impartial, accountable, and protective of all Nigerians, regardless of their political stance. He emphasised that restoring trust in such institutions requires swift correction of perceived injustices.
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