Former Minister of Education and social activist, Oby Ezekwesili, has thrown her weight behind Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, an NYSC corps member who has come under fire for publicly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions.
Raye recently went viral after a video surfaced online in which she vehemently condemned the government’s handling of the economy, calling President Tinubu a “terrible leader” who lacks the competence to steer the nation out of its current crisis.
Her remarks, which resonated with many Nigerians struggling with the harsh economic realities, led to her summoning by NYSC officials for questioning, sparking national outrage and a heated debate over free speech and political accountability.
Ezekwesili: Raye’s Remarks Represent the Voice of the People
Reacting to the controversy, Ezekwesili, in a post on her official X (formerly Twitter) handle, defended the young corps member, stating that the “terrible” label she used was an accurate reflection of the frustrations of millions of Nigerians grappling with economic hardship under the current administration.
“The ‘terrible’ comment from the corps member was awarded to President Tinubu on behalf of all sensible Nigerians who are managing severe hardship in the country,” Ezekwesili wrote.
She further praised Raye’s courage, emphasizing that the right to demand accountability from public leaders is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“She articulated her feedback in a manner that achieved maximum and effective delivery of the message to @NGRPresident, who runs the @nigeriagov and thus has a duty to her well-being,” Ezekwesili added.
Highlighting the significance of the NYSC member’s bold stance, she remarked:
“After reeling out her many pieces of evidence, she said to @officialABAT: ‘You are such a terrible President.’ That is admirably bold, I must say. Truly and remarkably bold. To demand accountability from public leaders is both a constitutional right and duty of every citizen. Raye has just taught all citizens of Nigeria ‘Democracy 101.’ We all better learn.”
Raye’s criticism of the government has sparked divided opinions across the country. While some Nigerians have hailed her bravery and see her as a voice for the masses, others argue that such public condemnation of a sitting president could attract consequences, especially given NYSC’s strict codes of conduct.
Many rights activists and political commentators have echoed Ezekwesili’s sentiment, insisting that freedom of speech must be protected in a democracy and that summoning Raye for expressing her opinion could set a dangerous precedent for suppressing dissent.
The Tinubu-led administration has yet to officially respond to the controversy, but the incident has once again put the spotlight on Nigeria’s shrinking civic space, growing economic hardship, and the public’s demand for stronger leadership.
