Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his support for Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member known as Raye, who claimed to have received threats following the release of a viral video in which she criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Atiku commended Raye for her courage and described her as a symbol of a new generation of politically engaged women committed to advocacy and democratic participation.
“Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere. I deeply admire her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred by the weight of opposition,” Atiku said.
Atiku compared Raye to prominent female Nigerian activists like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo, who were instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
He further called for support for Raye instead of hostility, emphasizing her role as a shining example of the Nigerian youth and their potential to build a better future.
“Rather than hostility, Raye deserves encouragement and support. She is a shining emblem of the Nigerian youth—a testament to the long-held promise that the leaders of tomorrow are already among us,” he added.
Raye, currently serving in Lagos, gained attention after posting a video on her TikTok account, #talktoraye, where she expressed frustration over the country’s worsening economic conditions.
In the video, she criticized President Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s approach to alleviating citizens’ hardships.
Raye later claimed to have received threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, urging her to remove the video. Authorities have not yet responded to her allegations.
