The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar has commended the boldness and wisdom of Raye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Lagos State, for speaking truth to power, saying she follows in the footsteps of formidable trailblazers like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and countless other women who have stood resolute in defense of the common good.
Precise Post recalls that young lady shared her grievances on TikTok via the handle @talktoraye, describing President Bola Tinubu administration as “terrible” and accused the government of neglecting the economic hardship faced by citizens.
Atiku stated this on Sunday via his X account handle while reacting to the news making rounds that the NYSC officials are calling and threathening her about making political statements online.
According to Atiku, “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.
“She follows in the footsteps of formidable trailblazers like Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and countless other women who have stood resolute in defense of the common good.
“Rather than being met with 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, ready to shape a better future. -AA
The young lady, who shared her grievances on TikTok via the handle @talktoraye, was seen in tears as she lamented the rising cost of goods in Nigeria.
She has raised concerns over alleged threats from the NYSC board after she criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in a viral social media post.
The young lady, who shared her grievances on TikTok via the handle @talktoraye, was seen in tears as she lamented the rising cost of goods in Nigeria.
“If a lot of Nigerians come out and start speaking about what we are going through, maybe changes will be made in the government,” she said in the video.
“I don’t know if there is any other president that is as terrible as you, but you are such a terrible president.”
She further lamented the financial struggles she faces as a corps member, stating that the monthly NYSC allowance is insufficient to cover basic living expenses.
According to her, she often spends more than she earns due to the skyrocketing cost of essentials.
Following the video’s circulation, the corps member claimed she received a warning from the NYSC board, cautioning her about making political statements online.
The development has triggered reactions from Nigerians, with many questioning whether corps members should be restricted from expressing their views on governance and national issues.
She said, “So, I am coming from a supermarket where I went to get foodstuff, and everything has gone up again. It’s just like every single week, prices keep increasing. I want to know, what is the government doing about this increase? Is there going to be a particular time when prices will stop going up?
“Why am I going to get a crate of eggs and I’m told it costs N6,500? It doesn’t make any sense that eggs would cost that much. I literally remember when eggs cost N800. I am so overwhelmed because this is the first time I’ve stayed out of my family house.
“After I left the supermarket, I got home, and the security and NEPA bills have skyrocketed, doubling in price. It is insane. I can’t keep up with these bills. Every single penny I make, I am using it to pay bills.
“The crazy thing is, you want to go out with your friend, and Uber is N25,000. Why are things so expensive?
“To make it worse, Lagos stinks. Everywhere smells. What is the government doing about the smell? Being an NYSC corper, there is nothing so beneficial about this scheme.
“The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. For example, Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
Less than 24 hours after posting a video in which she called President Tinubu “terrible,” she shared another clip showing her receiving calls from an NYSC official.
The corps member further revealed that she has been receiving multiple calls from NYSC officials, urging her to stop criticising the government and delete the video.
