The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has intervened in the viral case of a corps member who was reportedly threatened by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
TUC President, Festus Osifo, weighed in on the controversial issue of a corps member allegedly threatened by National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) officials for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Osifo explained that the corps member’s actions stemmed from frustration, urging the government not to target her but to show tolerance toward critics.
Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based NYSC member, posted a TikTok video criticizing the economic hardships Nigerians are facing due to the government’s reforms. Her video went viral, drawing attention from NYSC officials, who reportedly contacted her, demanding she delete the video. The NYSC has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
Osifo emphasized, “The government needs to develop resilience and understand that people are frustrated, hungry, and tired. If they choose to vent, the government should not take it personally or go after these individuals.” He added, “What harm can a young lady carrying out her NYSC duties do to bring down the government? It’s simply personal frustration that she expressed.”
He urged the government to be more patient, tolerant, and understanding of the difficulties Nigerians are facing. “They need to persevere, be more tolerant, and exercise deep patience, as people are going through a lot today.”
While the TUC president encouraged critics to express their views respectfully and within reasonable boundaries, Amnesty International also condemned the alleged threats and intimidation against the Lagos-based corps member. In a statement, Amnesty called on the federal government to stop threatening those who criticize the administration, stressing that dissenting opinions should not be met with violence or intimidation.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups expressing dissenting views. Voicing dissent is not a crime,” the organization stated on its X handle.
