From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi has said his comment calling for Capital punishment to be metted out to Ushie ‘Raye’ Uguamay, was misinterpreted, that he never called for her execution.
His clarification comes amid widespread misinterpretation of his remarks on a Facebook post.
In his post he had said: “If she is not a corper, she can say whatever she fancies like people do per second. Citizens can abuse a living day out of their President or any public official. It is normal. But a corper violated her oath and code of conduct here. That is capital punishment under NYSC.”
He had added, “You can’t abuse the country you are serving as a corper under any guise and the symbol of sovereign authority, which is the president. She should be punished to the fullest extent, not just.”
In a follow up Facebook post, Ajayi again clarified that he meant the highest punishment available under NYSC, which is expulsion.
“The mob gets their oxygen from misrepresentations and deliberate mischief,” Ajayi stated.
“I used ‘capital punishment’ metaphorically to emphasise the severity of the offense under NYSC rules, not literally. It’s common sense that there is no death penalty in NYSC law.”
Ajayi expressed frustration that a follow-up comment explaining his metaphor was ignored, leading to widespread misinterpretation.
But Presidential Aide in a statement titled “STATEMENT ON MY TWISTED COMMENT ON THE CORPS MEMBER”emphasised that his suggestion was for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to enforce its by-laws and protocols, particularly in cases of blatant disregard for established rules.
He highlighted that the maximum penalty under NYSC protocols is expulsion and that no measures beyond these established norms were implied.
Ajayi stressed the importance of maintaining discipline and respect within the programme, aligning with the country’s values of dignity and mutual respect among citizens.
He said: “It has become imperative to dispel the misrepresentation and patent mischief that has trailed my comment on a Facebook post.
“I suggested that flagrant and open abuse and disregard of NYSC by-laws and established protocol should attract the full NYSC disciplinary measures, particularly regarding a corps member’s recent display of imprudence.
“It is trite to say the maximum punishment under the NYSC protocol is expulsion; nothing beyond the established norms and laws is suggested or remotely implied.
“The NYSC scheme is a historic and treasured national programme that should not be sullied and ridiculed by indiscipline. It symbolises our triumph over division and consistent effort to forge a more potent and virile union.
“Most importantly, we should abide by our old cherished values of dignity, discipline, and respect for one another as citizens.”