A wave of condemnation has swept across Nigeria following reports that a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, faced threats after publicly criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration over the country's economic challenges. Amnesty International, prominent political figures, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have all voiced their support for Raye and denounced any attempts to silence dissenting voices.

Raye, a Lagos-based corps member, shared a video on TikTok expressing her frustration with the rising inflation and economic hardship in Nigeria, directly addressing President Tinubu and questioning the government's efforts to alleviate citizens' suffering. The video quickly went viral, drawing both support and, allegedly, unwanted attention from NYSC officials.

According to Raye, she began receiving threatening messages and calls from individuals claiming to be NYSC officials, demanding that she take down the video. In one instance, a recording captured an official saying, "Are you normal? Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted."

Amnesty International swiftly responded, condemning the alleged threats and urging the authorities to address the country's economic woes instead of silencing critics. "It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully," Amnesty International stated in a post on X. "Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should be prioritizing addressing the country’s economic woes." The organization emphasized that millions of Nigerians are facing extreme poverty and that the government has failed to implement effective mitigation measures.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also voiced his support for Raye, praising her courage and comparing her to historic female activists such as Gambo Sawaba, Funmilayo Ransom-Kuti, and Margaret Ekpo. "Raye embodies the spirit of a new generation of women who champion the ideals of popular participation and unwavering advocacy in the political sphere," Atiku wrote on X, calling for encouragement and support for the young corps member.

Echoing these sentiments, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi rejected the reported harassment of Raye, noting that he too has faced intimidation for offering constructive criticism of government policies. "A government that silences its citizens is not democratic or one that is subject to accountability and good governance and is most often corrupt," Obi stated, urging the government to reflect on its approach to dissent.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has also weighed in on the matter, urging the federal government not to go after the corps member. TUC President Festus Osifo emphasized that Raye's criticism stemmed from frustration and that the government should be tolerant of such expressions. He advised critics to maintain decorum in their criticisms but stressed the importance of the government's resilience and patience in the face of public discontent.

As of now, NYSC has not released an official statement regarding the allegations. The situation remains a focal point of discussion, highlighting the importance of freedom of speech and the government's response to criticism in a democratic society.