Corps member vs NYSC: Sowore leads showdown in Abuja

On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore led a protest at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

The demonstration was aimed at securing the release of the discharge certificate of a corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye.

Sowore was joined by a number of activists, including human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who is also acting as Raye’s legal representative.

The protest followed a public statement Sowore made on his social media handle the previous day, announcing their intention to appear at the NYSC office to demand the certificate.

In the statement, Sowore emphasized that Raye had completed her compulsory service and deserved to be issued her discharge certificate.

He also insisted that any form of injustice would not be allowed to stand unchallenged.

Raye had earlier alleged that the NYSC withheld her certificate as a result of her public criticism of the federal government, particularly remarks made about President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

However, the NYSC denied those claims in a statement released on Sunday. According to the organization, the reason for withholding her certificate was her failure to attend the mandatory biometric clearance in April 2025. The NYSC added that Raye is one of 131 corps members whose service years were extended due to various disciplinary infractions.

The management clarified that her service was extended by two months, in line with established NYSC bye-laws. They described allegations of political targeting as unfounded and emphasized that the same rules applied uniformly to all corps members in similar situations.

The case has drawn public attention, with supporters of Raye and various rights groups accusing the NYSC of using administrative procedures as a cover for political retribution. Meanwhile, the NYSC continues to maintain that its actions are strictly procedural and based on existing regulations.