TUC supports Lagos corper facing threats, says Nigerians are frustrated

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed its support for Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, also known as Raye, who claims to have received threats after openly criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.  

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a program on Channels Television, TUC President Festus Osifo defended Uguamaye’s right to express frustration, urging the government to be tolerant of dissent rather than targeting critics.

While advocating for free speech, Osifo also emphasized the need for constructive criticism, encouraging individuals to engage with the government respectfully and within acceptable norms.

He said, “They (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.

“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, a corps member serving in Lagos, recently made headlines after a video she posted criticising government policies went viral.

She later claimed to have faced threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the video.

In the video posted on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, Raye voiced frustration over Nigeria’s deteriorating economic situation, lamenting that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability.

She criticised Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships.

However, the NYSC has yet to release an official statement regarding the issue.