LAGOS, Nigeria — In a dramatic show of support for free speech, activist Omoyele Sowore, along with a group of lawyers and fellow activists, accompanied Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member Ushie Uguamaye—popularly known as Raye—to the office of her Local Government Inspector (LGI) on Monday. The summons comes in the wake of Raye’s viral TikTok videos sharply criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Raye’s outspoken remarks, which have resonated widely on social media under the hashtag #talktoraye, condemn the nation’s deteriorating economic conditions and label President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.” The videos, shared over the weekend, have sparked both public outcry and fervent support. Following her contentious online statements, Raye was ordered to appear before the LGI for questioning.
According to reports, Sowore and the legal team arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI office in Lagos to ensure Raye’s rights were upheld during the process. In an update posted on his official X handle, Sowore lamented that despite their presence, the LGI official failed to appear for the scheduled session. “We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the @officialnyscng with youth corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, in Lagos. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys. @mrfestusogun, @yinka_oyesomi, and @justiceojienoh, but the LGI official had absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay,” he stated.
This development follows earlier reports that Raye was facing intimidation from NYSC officials after her criticism of the government, a claim she made in separate TikTok videos. The controversies have underscored a growing tension between state institutions and dissenting voices within the youth corps, adding fuel to broader debates over freedom of expression in Nigeria.
As supporters like Sowore, a well-known advocate for civil liberties, continue to back Raye, the episode has raised urgent questions about the mechanisms for addressing public grievances in a digital age. Critics argue that public officials should engage with constructive criticism rather than resort to intimidation, while advocates for free speech see the incident as emblematic of a stifling environment for political dissent.
For now, the absence of the LGI official leaves the inquiry in limbo. Observers are calling for transparency and accountability from the NYSC and local authorities, insisting that every citizen’s right to voice concerns—especially on matters of national importance—must be fiercely protected.
