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Sowore Threatens Mass Protest At NYSC Passing-Out Parade If Raye Is Barred From Completing Service
Sowore noted that the Tinubu regime might go down with the Rita Raye NYSC matter.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to lead a mass mobilisation of supporters to the Passing-Out-Parade (POP) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) if the agency fails to clear Ms. Rita Ushie to complete her national service.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Sowore accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of unjustly targeting Ms. Ushie, popularly known as Rita Raye, warning that the matter could escalate if not resolved promptly.
Sowore noted that the Tinubu regime might go down with the Rita Raye NYSC matter.
He said, “This @officialABAT Tinubu regime might go down with the Rita Raye’s National Youth Service Corps @officialnyscng matter. This is not acceptable, we will mobilise down to the Passing Out Parade except Rita is allowed to complete her NYSC national service without let or hindrance.”
Sowore, a vocal critic of the Tinubu administration, has consistently championed issues of injustice and youth rights, particularly as they relate to freedom of expression and civic duty in Nigeria.
Earlier, Ekwutosblog reported that the NYSC had extended Ms. Rita’s service year by two months following her viral criticism of President Tinubu’s administration over the worsening economic hardship.
The corps member, who had one month left in her mandatory national service, drew nationwide attention in March after posting a video lamenting the economic crisis and alleging threats from NYSC officials demanding she delete the content.
The incident was condemned by civil rights groups and many Nigerians who accused the NYSC of attempting to suppress freedom of expression.
The NYSC Local Government Inspector summoned Rita to appear at the Eti-Osa Local Government office.
However, when she arrived with Sowore and her legal representatives, the official who issued the summons was absent.
The matter faded from public attention until last Wednesday, June 18, when Raye was summoned to appear before another disciplinary panel at the Iyana Ipaja NYSC orientation camp in Lagos.
However, despite repeated delays, she was eventually informed that her service year had been extended as a form of punishment.
Jonathan Ugbal, South-South Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, who has been in contact with Raye’s family, told CrossRiverWatch, “Upon her arrival at Iyana Ipaja last Wednesday without any formal letter, she was met by the Local Government Instructor who spoke to her and asked her to return this week despite the scarce resources she burned to get there.
“She went there eventually, and she faced them, apologising to the staff who felt hurt due to the backlash they received from the public.”
“However, her mother called me moments ago to inform me that she called crying over the phone that her service year has been extended by two months. I have reached out to her, but she is not in a good frame of mind to speak,” Jonathan added.