The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has issued a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, condemning alleged threats against National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Ushie Uguamaye, popularly known as Raye, for criticizing the government’s economic policies.
TUC President Festus Osifo, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, called for tolerance, stating that Raye’s viral outburst reflects the frustration of millions of Nigerians grappling with economic hardship. He cautioned the government against suppressing dissent, emphasizing that criticism should not be met with intimidation.
“They (the government) must understand that Nigerians are frustrated, hungry, and tired. If they decide to vent, the government should not personalize it and go after individuals,” Osifo declared.
Raye, a corps member serving in Lagos, went viral over the weekend after posting a TikTok video slamming Tinubu’s leadership and lamenting the worsening economic crisis. She claimed that NYSC officials pressured her to take down the video and summoned her for questioning.
The controversy has sparked widespread reactions, with 2023 presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party) also backing Raye’s right to free speech. Despite the growing uproar, the NYSC has yet to issue an official statement.
With public dissatisfaction rising, this case has become a litmus test for the Tinubu administration’s stance on democratic freedoms. Will the government listen, or will it clamp down harder?
