TUC Backs NYSC Member ‘ Raye ‘ Amid Alleged Threats Over Criticism of Tinubu Administration

• TUC President Festus Osifo, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, acknowledged that Raye’s criticism likely stemmed from frustration and urged the government to exercise tolerance rather than pursue punitive measures
• Raye in her viral video expressed frustration over Nigeria’s economic struggles and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships, has sparked a wave of both support and condemnation
• While some have lauded Raye for her courage and outspokenness, others have criticized her for overstepping the boundaries of appropriate behavior for an NYSC member.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has come out in support of Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who claims to have received threats for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Eko Hot Blog reports.

TUC President Festus Osifo, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, acknowledged that Uguamaye’s criticism likely stemmed from frustration and urged the government to exercise tolerance rather than pursue punitive measures.

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While emphasizing the importance of respectful discourse and adherence to norms when expressing dissent, Osifo maintained that the TUC stands behind Uguamaye in this matter.

He 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 patience with Nigerians because people are passing through a lot as it stands today.”

As controversy swirls around Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, the NYSC has yet to release an official statement regarding the alleged threats she has faced for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Raye’s viral video, in which she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s economic struggles and questioned the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ hardships, has sparked a wave of both support and condemnation.

While some have lauded Raye for her courage and outspokenness, others have criticized her for overstepping the boundaries of appropriate behavior for an NYSC member.

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The organization’s bye-laws prohibit corps members from being “rude to constituted authority,” but critics argue that this should not extend to silencing legitimate concerns and expressions of dissent.

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