The Labour Party has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of sliding into authoritarianism over the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) refusal to release the discharge certificate of Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye.

The party claimed the move is a “vengeful act” triggered by Raye’s viral criticism of the government’s handling of corps members’ welfare and the rising cost of living.

In March 2024, the Lagos-based corps member posted a video describing President Tinubu as “a terrible president” and lamenting poor air quality in the state.

Her comments sparked a social media storm, prompting her Local Government Inspector (LGI) to allegedly threaten sanctions unless she deleted the video. Although Raye later apologised for remarks interpreted as an attack on Lagos, she recently revealed on Instagram that she was denied her NYSC certificate at the end of her service year.

NYSC officials say she missed her mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance. But the Labour Party insists independent findings show she was present at the LGI office with full documentation and was turned away.

Labour Party spokesperson Ken Eluma Asogwa condemned the action as a calculated attempt to punish free expression, citing Section 39(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to hold opinions. He urged President Tinubu to direct the NYSC to issue the certificate and to curb “overzealous state agents” bent on repressing dissent.

“As this government continues its dangerous descent into authoritarianism,” the statement read, “Nigerians must remain vigilant. Democracy will not only be endangered by the APC’s tyrannical impulses but also by the silence of those who should speak out.”