Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned what he called intimidation of “voices of reason and truth”, while reacting to the controversy surrounding the video shared by a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye.
Uguamaye, also known as Raye on TikTok, in the video which went viral on various social media platforms, decried the growing hardship in the country.
The Crops member who serves in Lagos State, disclosed that she could barely afford basic necessities.
But, in a follow-up video, she alleged being threatened by officials of the NYSC who asked her to delete the video from her page.
She was later ordered to appear before a panel at the NYSC secretariat on Monday by 10 am for further action and questioning.
Reacting to reports of the threats against Uguamaye, Obi said rather than stifle the voice of citizens, it is important for the NYSC and the present administration to dialogue and engage with the people.
“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,” he said.
Obi who described the threat against Raye by government officials as anti-ethical, urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to reflect on its approach and recognise that constructive criticism is key to achieving good governance.
He urged Nigerians to remember that the future of the nation lies in their collective courage to speak out against misgovernance, injustice, and intimidation.
Obi said, “Do not let fear stifle your voice. Stand firm, support one another, and continue to advocate for Nigeria we all envision—a nation where freedom of speech is sacrosanct, and leadership is accountable to the people, especially in critical areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
“A just and prosperous Nigeria should be one where people like Raye are encouraged to speak out about the challenges they face, while those in government take urgent action to address these issues.”
