Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian government over alleged threats and intimidation faced by Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye.
Ms. Uguamaye recently sparked an online uproar after a video of her criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s government over escalating economic hardship went viral on TikTok.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the human rights organization denounced the reported threats from NYSC officials, emphasizing that Ms. Uguamaye was well within her rights to express her frustration over the country’s worsening economic conditions.
In the video, she openly criticized President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible leader” and questioning the government’s efforts to alleviate citizens’ suffering.
Ms. Uguamaye alleged that the NYSC issued a strong warning demanding she take down the video.
Meanwhile, the video has sparked an outcry on social media, with opposition leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens rallying around her, urging the government to address the concerns rather than threaten citizens for expressing their views.