Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly withholding the discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, describing the action as “unacceptable” and possibly politically driven.

In a statement via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Atiku expressed concern that the action could be linked to Raye’s public criticism of economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“What manner of impunity is this? Everything should not be subjected to politics,” Atiku wrote.
“I hope that Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s NYSC discharge certificate is not being withheld because she had the courage to complain about the economic hardship under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.”

He stressed that it was wrong to deny a citizen their NYSC certificate for exercising free speech, especially someone who had completed her service without disciplinary issues.

“It is unacceptable that the young lady, who had served her country without queries, should not have received her National Youth Service Corps certificate one year after passing out.

He urged the authorities to act immediately, warning that such actions erode public trust in national institutions.

“The appropriate authorities should take urgent steps to ensure that she gets her discharge certificate,” Atiku added.

Raye, who served in Lagos State, gained public attention earlier this year after a viral video in which she lamented rising living costs and the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.

On Saturday, she revealed via Instagram that she was denied her certificate during the official collection exercise. NYSC officials reportedly claimed she failed to complete her April clearance, a claim she has strongly disputed.

According to Raye, she presented herself for clearance but was repeatedly told by her Local Government Inspector (LGI) to wait.

She alleged that the LGI eventually refused to process her clearance, seized her file, and ordered her out of the office.

In a vlog and accompanying caption, Raye expressed deep frustration, calling her service year in Lagos “a waste of time” and questioning the fairness of the NYSC process.

The NYSC is yet to issue an official response to the allegations as of the time of this report.