Temitope Ajayi, a senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on media and publicity, on Monday defended his remarks following the controversy surrounding a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who publicly criticized the president.
The corps member, Rita Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, sparked debate on Saturday after sharing a video in which she condemned government policies and described Tinubu as a “terrible leader.”
Her comments quickly went viral, drawing both support and backlash. While some praised her courage, others argued that as a corps member serving under a government scheme, she had crossed a line.
Among those who condemned Raye’s remarks was Ajayi, who, in a Facebook post, insisted that as an NYSC member, she had no right to criticize the president.
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“The issue is not about the exercise of free speech or what she said. If she is not a corper, she can say whatever she fancies,” Ajayi wrote.
“But a corper violated her oath and code of conduct here. That is capital punishment under NYSC. You can’t abuse the country you are serving as a corper under any guise and the symbol of sovereign authority, which is the President. She should be punished to the full extent, not just warned.”
His remarks triggered a new wave of criticism, particularly over his use of the term “capital punishment.” Many social media users accused him of calling for the harshest possible penalty against the young lady, arguing that his response was disproportionate.
Faced with mounting backlash, Ajayi issued a statement on Monday, saying his comments had been misinterpreted.
“It is trite to say the maximum punishment under the NYSC protocol is expulsion; nothing beyond the established norms and laws is suggested or remotely implied,” he clarified.
He emphasized the significance of the NYSC program as a unifying national institution, stating that it should not be “sullied and ridiculed by indiscipline.”
“The NYSC scheme is a historic and treasured national programme that symbolizes our triumph over division and our consistent effort to forge a more potent and virile union,” he said.
Ajayi called for discipline, respect, and decorum in public discourse, urging citizens to uphold the values of the national service program.