Ushie Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos, has gained the backing of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) after claiming she received threats for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
TUC President Festus Osifo addressed the issue during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on March 16, 2025. He noted that the corps member’s comments stemmed from frustration over the country’s economic situation.
Osifo advised the government to tolerate criticism instead of targeting individuals who express their grievances.
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.”
He further noted that Uguamaye’s remarks did not pose a threat to the government, emphasizing that she was simply voicing personal frustration.
“Imagine a young lady carrying out her NYSC function; what does she really have to do to bring down the government? So, it is about personal frustration that she has aired.”
Osifo urged the government to show more patience and understanding towards Nigerians, acknowledging the hardships people are facing. “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.”
The controversy began when a video posted by Uguamaye on TikTok went viral. In the video, she criticized government policies and described President Tinubu as a “terrible leader.” Her comments sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporting her stance and others condemning her approach.
Shortly after the video gained attention, Uguamaye alleged that officials from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) pressured her to delete it. She also claimed that she received threats, though she did not specify who was behind them.
