The Eti-Osa Local Government Inspector (LGI) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos State was noticeably absent on Monday after summoning a corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, over her viral social media video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and a team of lawyers had accompanied Rita to the NYSC office in Eti-Osa LGA for the scheduled meeting, but upon arrival, the LGI who issued the summons was nowhere to be found.
Rita had been directed to report to the NYSC office at 10 AM on Monday following the controversy surrounding her TikTok video, in which she lamented the rising cost of living in Nigeria. However, when she arrived with Sowore and legal representatives, including attorneys Festus Ogun, Adeyinka Oyesomi, and Ojienoh Justice, the official who summoned her was absent.
Providing an update on X (formerly Twitter), Sowore wrote:
“We arrived at the Eti-Osa LGI offices of the National Youth Service Corps with youth corper, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, in Lagos. She was scheduled to appear before the LGI today, and we escorted her to their offices with attorneys. But the LGI official had absconded, failing to show up throughout our stay. We will be back! #RevolutionNow #TinubuIsATerriblePresident.”
Sowore had earlier announced that he would accompany Rita to the NYSC office, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring her rights were not violated.
Rita found herself at the center of controversy after posting a video on TikTok under the handle @talktoraye. In the video, she tearfully criticized the skyrocketing cost of goods and called out President Tinubu, stating:
“I want to know what the government is doing about this increase. Is there going to be a time when prices will stop going up? Why is a crate of eggs now N6,500? This is overwhelming; my NYSC allowance can’t even cover basic expenses.”
She also decried the high cost of transportation and utilities, arguing that corps members were struggling to survive.
“The money I spend on transportation is much more than the allowance the federal government pays us. We should start calling out the government. Tinubu, you are a terrible person. What are you doing to help our economy?”
Her remarks ignited mixed reactions, with some Nigerians supporting her stance while others criticized her for directly addressing the president in such a manner.
Shortly after her video gained traction, Rita claimed she received calls from NYSC officials pressuring her to delete it. In a follow-up post on Instagram, she said:
“These people know my address and where I live, and now they’ve begun threatening me. It is so bad that you can’t even just speak up about the government because they feel like they have chains to hold you.”
She further defended her statement, insisting:
“I never insulted the president. I said he was terrible. That is not an insult. It is a statement.”
Rita was subsequently asked to report to the NYSC office, but the absence of the LGI on Monday has raised further questions about the motive behind the summons.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
