The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has weighed in on the controversy surrounding a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who faced threats from NYSC officials after criticising President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, TUC President Festus Osifo urged the government to exercise patience.
He emphasised that the corps member’s remarks stemmed from frustration.
He advised authorities against retaliating, instead calling for tolerance towards dissenting voices.
The corps member, Ushie Uguamaye, posted a video on TikTok lamenting the economic difficulties Nigerians face under the current administration’s policies.
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The video quickly gained traction online, drawing the attention of NYSC officials, whom she later accused of threatening her to take it down.
The NYSC is yet to release an official statement on the matter.
Osifo argued that the government should not view such criticism as a personal attack, as it reflects the growing frustration among citizens.
“They must develop the resilience to understand that Nigerians are struggling—people are hungry, exhausted, and disillusioned.
“If they express their frustrations, I believe the government should not take it personally or retaliate,” he said.
Referring to Uguamaye, he questioned, “What power does a young corps member have to destabilize the government? She simply voiced her frustration.”
He urged the government to exercise greater tolerance and patience, acknowledging the hardships many Nigerians are currently enduring.
However, he also encouraged critics to express their views with a sense of responsibility and decorum.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned the reported threats against the corps member.
In a statement released earlier on Sunday, the organisation criticised the Nigerian government’s pattern of intimidating dissenters.
“The authorities must stop using threats and coercion against individuals and groups expressing opposing views.
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“Silencing criticism is a violation of both the Nigerian constitution and international law. Dissent is not a crime,” Amnesty International stated on its X handle.
