The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has thrown its weight behind a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, who claimed she received threats after openly criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
TUC President Festus Osifo, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, condemned any form of retaliation against Raye, urging the government to be more tolerant of criticism. He described her statements as an expression of frustration, a sentiment shared by many Nigerians struggling with economic hardship.
“They (the government) have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired,” Osifo stated. “If they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalize it and come after such individuals.”
Osifo further emphasized that the government should focus on addressing citizens' grievances rather than targeting those who voice their frustrations. “Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function, what does she really have to do to bring down the government? It’s about personal frustration that she has aired.”
The TUC leader advised critics to engage in responsible discourse but stressed that leaders must demonstrate patience and tolerance in governance.
“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 recently made headlines after a video she posted criticizing the government’s policies went viral. In the video, uploaded on her TikTok account #talktoraye on Saturday, she expressed deep frustration over Nigeria’s economic downturn, stating that hard work no longer guarantees financial stability. She also called President Tinubu a “terrible leader” and questioned the administration’s commitment to alleviating citizens’ hardships.
Following the viral video, Raye alleged that she received threats, reportedly from NYSC officials, pressuring her to take down the post. However, as of now, the NYSC has not issued any official statement regarding the matter.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians weighing in on the importance of free speech and the government’s responsibility to address the nation’s economic struggles rather than silencing dissent.