Former President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Lanre Ogundipe, on Monday, said it would be unfair for government and its agents to punish a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Rita Ushie Uguamaye, for criticising President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Uguamaye, a corps member serving in the Eti-Osa Local Council Area of Lagos State, had berated the Tinubu-led government over the parlous state of the economy.

Following the corps member’s comments on the Tinubu’s unsavoury policies, the leadership of the NYSC is bent on punishing her. But reacting to the stance of the NYSC, Ogundipe, who is also a former President of the African Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the corps member enjoyed the fundamental right of freedom of expression.

In a statement made available in Ibadan, Ogundipe argued that the right to freedom of expression was also protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.

He said: “It is unjust for any government, its agents to harass or punish or be seen to stifled dissenting voices in the country under any disguise. Why would government be working against the nation’s Constitution it swore to uphold?

Ogundipe said punishing the corps member would be tantamount to killing or silencing the country’s tomorrow. He said: “Why would this government want to destroy and kill our tomorrow by forcing everyone to become deaf and dumb and close our eyes to ills on our society.”

According to Ogundipe, it is a good development that Rita took the bold step to be counted when it matters and speak to the power damning the consequences of her action.

He said: “Every youth must stand to protect and shield the lady from further infringement on her fundamental right. She should be encouraged for her boldness and wisdom—her fearless resolve to speak truth to power, undeterred.”

MEANWHILE, a presidential aide, Temitope Ajayi, has denied calling for the execution by hanging or firing squad of the corps member, Uguamaye, for describing President Bola Tinubu as a “terrible President”.

Recall that the presidential aide, a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, was reportedly not pleased with what Uguamaye and called for her head because she is a corps member.

“If she is not a corper, she can say whatever she fancies like people do per second. Citizens can abuse a living day out of their President or any public official. It is normal.

“But a corper violated her oath and code of conduct here. That is capital punishment under NYSC,” Mr Ajayi reportedly stated on Facebook yesterday. The presidential aide, however, denied prescribing capital punishment for the corps member following a barrage of criticisms which trailed his comments on the social media.

In a statement he made available to newsmen, Ajayi said: “It has become imperative to dispel the misrepresentation and patent mischief that has trailed my comment on a Facebook post.

“I suggested that flagrant and open abuse and disregard of NYSC by-laws and established protocol should attract the full NYSC disciplinary measures, particularly regarding a corps member’s recent display of imprudence.

“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.”