The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has condemned the intimidation and harassment of a National Youth Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, who criticized President Bola Tinubu.
TheNewsGuru recalls Uguamaye, in a viral video, had lamented the hardship faced by citizens as a result of the economic policies of the current administration and described Tinubu as a “terrible president.”
Rita who broke down in tears, shared her frustration over the high cost of goods in the market, further calling President Tinubu’s government a “terrible” one for paying little attention to the hike in commodity prices.
“We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she said in the video.
In another video, the female corps member alleged that Lagos National Youth Service (NYSC) management threatened her for the video she made condemning hardship in the country.
Reacting, the presidential candidate via his social media account on Sunday night noted that the action so far taken by the government against the lady resembles the intimidation, harassment, and name-calling he also suffers from the same government.
He said such actions against those who dare to speak the truth to power are unacceptable, undemocratic and worrying as the government should not silence the citizens.
“The National Youth Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye, recently had an experience that highlights a troubling trend in our nation—one where voices of reason and truth are met with intimidation rather than dialogue and engagement.
“Reports indicate that she has faced threats from NYSC officials simply for expressing her concerns about the current administration.
“This pattern is not isolated. I, too, have been subjected to threats for daring to offer constructive suggestions and comments.
“I now face daily intimidation, harassment, and name-calling simply for expressing solution-based views on government policies.
“Such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy. A government that silences its citizens is not democratic or one that is subject to accountability and good governance and is most often corrupt,” he said.