By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Former presidential aide and social critic, Mr. Reno Omokri, has taken a swipe at presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, over his reported support for a youth corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, who allegedly made some negative comments on President Bola Tinubu over the state of the economy.
Uguamaye, also known as Raye, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), had taken to the social media to pour invectives on the government over what she tagged unpleasant economic conditions in the land.
She was also said to have described Lagos State, her place of primary assignment, as a “smelly state.”
Recall that her action has ignited hot debate among Nigerians, with Mr. Obi reportedly throwing his weight behind her.
But Omokri, in an open letter addressed to Mr. Obi, which has now gone viral, said the LP flag bearer could not have been more wrong.
Omokri wrote: “I write to draw your attention to an issue of grave national importance that, if left to fester, could affect the stability of the Nigerian state.
“It is the height of indiscipline for Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, a serving youth corp member, to describe the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in the language used in her viral video.
“It is also distasteful for her to insult Lagos State as a smelly place while serving in a scheme meant to promote Nigeria’s unity.
“If she were not a serving National Youth Service Corp member, then, her behaviour would not be an issue. But she is.
“And I am not sure that you displayed the right judgment in validating a corp member who insulted the President of Nigeria and attacked the government of Nigeria while undermining the management of the National Youth Service Corp.”
The social commentator said he would have reacted the same way if Mr. Obi or any other contender for the seat of president, were to be in power.
Omokri added: “As a former governor, sworn in on the Nigerian Constitution, sir, perhaps, you ought to think beyond your present position as an opposition politician. If she can insult President Bola Tinubu, she can also insult you.
“Nobody aspiring to lead Nigeria should support lawlessness, even if it aligns with their political objectives.
“This has nothing to do with whether or not some of her complaints are valid or not.
“In my opinion, if a graduate has been posted to Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, or any other metropolitan area with a higher cost of living than the average Nigerian standard, they ought to be paid more than those posted to less urban states.
“In spite of my personal opinions on this issue, I am cognizant that it is simply impossible to run a government if members of the Armed Forces, paramilitary services, and civil service do not show total loyalty and allegiance to the lawfully constituted government.
“As God sees my heart, this would be my stance whether the government in power was led by you or any of the presidential candidates that contested the 2023 elections.”
The critic drew Mr. Obi’s attention to what he described as grave consequences that seeming actions of mutiny could cause the nation.
“Where would Nigeria be, if soldiers, police officers, customs, prisons, immigration officers, civil servants, and youth corps members could just go on social media, radio and television, or the print media to publicly attack the lawfully constituted government under which they serve?
“The answer is that Nigeria would become an anarchic society.
“They can do it. But first, they ought to resign or, in the case of the NYSC, wait until the end of their mandatory service year.
“Sir, if you feel that I am not being objective, I urge you to subject my analysis to Grok or other AI fact-checking.
“Young people without the benefit of your public service may act based on their emotions. However, it is expected of you, sir, to focus on what is stable: the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Are you not the same person who kept malice with Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, after he called you ‘Gbajue’? Why did you quarrel with Mr. Soyinka, if you genuinely believed what Raye did was right?
“Can you, sir, hire such a person as Ushie Uguamaye, in your private company?
“Without proof, you accused the government of threatening Miss Uguamaye, but what did you do when your supporters threatened to kill me and my family? Peter, are you not the same person who threatened ‘religious war’ on the Muslim Ummah in your leaked audio?
“No freedom or right is absolute. Citizens have freedom of movement. However, if you walk unauthorised into Aso Rock Presidential Villa or any restricted military facility, you can be legally shot on the spot.
“You have freedom of association. However, if you associate with an institution or individual deemed an enemy of the state, you can be prosecuted by law.
“Sir, I sincerely appeal to you to reconsider that statement in Nigeria’s best interest. Thank you,”he stated.
