Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has demanded that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) immediately clear Rita Uguamaye, a corps member reportedly facing disciplinary action for speaking out against economic hardship in Nigeria.
Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels TV, Sowore described the move by NYSC officials to withhold Rita’s discharge certificate as “unbelievable” and “completely insane,” insisting that punishing her for telling the truth amounted to a grave injustice.
“It is completely insane. That is the way I want to describe it,” Sowore said. “That someone who stood up and said, hey, you know, things are hard in the country, which is true, you then try to punish her.”
Sowore maintained that Rita’s outspoken courage was, in fact, a public service that benefitted other corps members, who later received an increased allowance following public pressure.
“Don’t forget that it was after her outbursts and her social media posts that youth corps members, who were being paid N33,000 before, got paid N77,000 minimum wage for corps members,” he explained. “So her colleagues should be proud of her. The country should be grateful to her.”
Sowore described her action as a model of true civic responsibility and a vital contribution to national service.
“And as I described it yesterday night, this is actually national service — to speak truth to power,” he stated.
He also criticised what he described as a culture of repression by government institutions, even in a supposed democracy, warning that punishing free expression would only deepen public mistrust in democratic governance.
“It is unspeakable, horrible, and unconscionable conduct on their part. But I don’t think they have conscience,” Sowore argued.
He urged the NYSC to respect Rita’s rights, insisting that no Nigerian should face threats for exercising freedom of speech.
“Rita must get her clearance,” Sowore declared. “She is entitled to her discharge certificate. Her colleagues should rally around her, because what she did was for all of them.”
He warned NYSC authorities not to embarrass themselves by enforcing what he called an “unfair, unjust punishment,” reminding them that withholding her certificate would be unlawful and could amount to victimisation.
“This is the way they do it,” Sowore explained. “They wait until the day of the passing-out parade, and then they tell you that you are not entitled to your certificate. It is designed to humiliate people.”
Drawing from his own experience, Sowore recalled being denied his NYSC discharge certificate in 1996 after being arrested for student activism.
“Today, I never got my NYSC discharge certificate. Well, I’m still doing national service,” he quipped, pointing out that the pattern of punishing dissenters had persisted for decades.
Sowore concluded by reiterating that Nigerians should support Rita’s courage and ensure she is not made a scapegoat for simply telling the truth.
“The country should be grateful to her,” he insisted. “She deserves her certificate, and she deserves to be celebrated.”
