National
Terrible President! Outrage As Presidential Aide Calls For Death Penalty For NYSC Lady
By Benjamin Abioye
Nigerians have expressed shock and outrage after Temitope Ajayi, a media aide to President Bola Tinubu, suggested that a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member should face the death penalty for dubbing Tinubu a terrible president.
Ajayi’s statement came after Ushie ‘Raye’ Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos, complained on TikTok about the rising cost of living and called President Tinubu a “terrible” leader. Ajayi argued that, as a serving corps member, she had violated her oath and deserved the harshest punishment.
Many Nigerians took to social media to condemn Ajayi’s statement, calling it extreme and undemocratic for the NYSC member to be so punished for calling Tinubu a terrible president. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong was among the first to push back, arguing that criticism of the government is not a crime under the NYSC Act or Bye-Laws. He emphasized that Uguamaye was simply expressing her frustration, which is protected under Nigeria’s constitution.
Amnesty International, along with politicians like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, also criticized any attempt to silence dissent through intimidation.
Social media users were even more direct in their responses. Some called Ajayi’s remarks absurd, while others pointed out the double standards in Nigeria’s justice system.
“So, in a country battling corruption, insecurity, and economic hardship, the priority is giving a death sentence for free speech? Makes perfect sense,” one user wrote sarcastically.
“Since when did expressing an opinion become a crime worthy of death? If democracy can’t tolerate criticism, then what exactly do we have?” another person questioned.
Some were even more critical of Ajayi and the government’s priorities in projecting the death penalty on the NYSC member for calling Tinubu a terrible president.
“This is so unacceptable. Death penalty? When the federal government is planning to build a rehabilitation center for terrorists and bandits? Wait—citizens can’t speak up when the situation of the country is strangling them?” one outraged Nigerian wrote.
Others ridiculed Ajayi’s stance by comparing it to how the government treats criminals.
“Corps member deserves the death penalty. Boko Haram deserves amnesty. Welcome to Nigeria,” one person commented with laughing emojis.
There were also calls for fairness in how punishments are handed out.
“Then your officials that steal billions of Naira deserve what?” someone asked.
Not everyone believed Uguamaye should go unpunished. Some Nigerians argued that as a serving corps member, she should be held accountable under NYSC rules.
“That’s extreme, and I believe he was quoted out of context. She deserves 3 to 6 months extension. We must instill discipline in corps members,” one user suggested.
Still, the overwhelming response from Nigerians was one of disbelief and frustration, with many questioning the state of free speech in the country that Ajayi should advocate the death penalty on the NYSC member for calling Tinubu a terrible president.
As debates continue, one thing is clear: Ajayi’s comments have only fueled the discussion on the government’s handling of criticism and the shrinking space for free expression in Nigeria.
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