Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, called for capital punishment against Raye, a NYSC member, following her criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The corps member had posted a video on social media, expressing her frustration over the prevailing economic hardship in the country, blaming the Tinubu-led government for what she described as a lack of relief for ordinary Nigerians.
In the widely circulated clip, Raye lamented the soaring cost of living and dwindling purchasing power, sparking discussions across digital platforms.
However, the matter took a controversial turn when Raye later claimed that some NYSC officials contacted her, allegedly threatening her and demanding that she take down the video.
Her revelation triggered public reactions, with many Nigerians criticizing the NYSC for what they described as an attempt to intimidate a citizen for speaking her mind.
Reacting to the development via a post on Facebook, Presidential aide Temitope Ajayi stated that the corps member had breached her oath and the NYSC code of conduct.
In a widely criticized remark, Ajayi said the appropriate response should be capital punishment under NYSC regulations.
His statement has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, legal practitioners, and social media users, many of whom questioned the appropriateness and legality of such a call.
Critics argue that the aide’s comments are extreme and could fuel intolerance to dissent in a democratic society.
Human rights advocates have also raised concerns over the freedom of expression, insisting that citizens — including corps members — have a right to express their opinions without fear of repression.