The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed support for Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member based in Lagos, who alleged receiving threats after criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, TUC President Festus Osifo stated that Raye’s remarks stemmed from frustration and urged the government to tolerate criticism rather than target dissenting voices. However, he also advised critics to express their views within acceptable norms and maintain a level of decorum.
He stated, “The government must develop resilience and recognize that people are frustrated, hungry, and exhausted. When individuals choose to express their frustrations, the government should not take it personally or target them.
“Consider a young woman simply fulfilling her NYSC duties—what real power does she have to destabilize the government? Her remarks are an expression of personal frustration.”
“The government must exercise greater perseverance, tolerance, and patience with Nigerians, as many are facing significant hardships today.”
Raye, an NYSC member serving in Lagos, recently gained attention after a video she posted criticizing government policies went viral.
She later claimed to have received threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to delete the video.
In the video, shared on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, stating that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability. She also criticized President Tinubu’s leadership, calling him a “terrible leader” and questioning the government’s commitment to alleviating citizens’ hardships.
As of now, the NYSC has not issued an official statement on the matter.
