The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member allegedly threatened by NYSC officials for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, TUC President Festus Osifo expressed support for the corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, stating that her comments stemmed from frustration. He urged the government to demonstrate tolerance towards critics rather than pursuing punitive actions.
Uguamaye, a Lagos-based corps member, had posted a TikTok video highlighting the economic hardship Nigerians face due to the administration’s reforms. The viral video reportedly prompted NYSC officials to contact her with threats, demanding she delete the content.
The NYSC is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
But the TUC boss 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 patient with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”
The TUC boss, however, advised critics to always criticise the government within the expected norm and with some level of decorum.
In a statement released earlier on Sunday, Amnesty International also condemned the alleged threats and intimidation being faced by Lagos-based corps member.
It said that the Federal Government must stop threatening individuals and groups who criticise the current administration.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the organisation in a statement on its X handle.