The Trade Union Congress has thrown its weight behind Ushie Uguamaye, a National Youth Service Corps member serving in Lagos, who claimed she was receiving threats after criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, TUC President Festus Osifo said the corps member’s comments reflected the frustration many Nigerians are experiencing.
He urged the government to be more tolerant of criticism rather than going after individuals who express their grievances.
“They [the government] have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. So, if they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals,” Osifo said.
He also downplayed any perceived threat from the corps member’s remarks, adding, “Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function, what does she really have to do to bring down government? So, it is about personal frustration that she has aired.
“So, I think that the government has to persevere much more, they have to be more tolerant, and they have to have this deep level of patience with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”
Raye, as she is popularly known online, recently gained attention after posting a video on TikTok criticising the government’s handling of the economy. She lamented that hard work no longer guaranteed financial stability and described Tinubu as a “terrible leader.”
Following the viral video, Raye claimed she was being pressured—allegedly by NYSC officials—to take it down. However, the NYSC has yet to issue an official response to the matter.
