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For struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

Committee for a Workers' International

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Socialist Democracy November 2004

By Eko John Nicholas

As part of the mobilisation campaign by Labour and Civil Society group to kick-start the second phase of nation-wide general strike scheduled to commence on the 16th November, 2004, to protest the pro-rich, anti-poor, neo-liberal policies of the Obasanjo led capitalist government, the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), held a mass rally at Ikeja and Yaba respectively on November 3, 2004, to amongst other demands, press for the reversal of recent increments in the prices of petroleum products.

The rally, which began at about 12 noon and was massively attended by all sections of the working class people, was addressed by the President of NLC, Adams Oshiomhole and some notable labour activists from the civil society groups. These include Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, the acting chairman of LASCO, Segun Sango, the General Secretary of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), who also doubled as the chairman of NCP Lagos State. Others include Chief Mike Ozekhomhe, a human right activist; NANS JCC Chairman of Lagos State amongst others.

The NLC President in his address at the rally, urged the working people of Nigeria to give their total support to the impending nationwide general strike billed to commence on November 16, 2004, to protest the recent hike in pump prices of petroleum products by the Obasanjo led government. Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti also spoke in similar vein and urged the people of Nigeria to come out en masse and demonstrate their total opposition and rejection of Obasanjo's inhuman policies during the strike. Segun Sango in his remarks faulted the IMF/World Bank induced anti-poor, pro-rich, neo-liberal policies of Obasanjo's led capitalist government and demanded a halt to them. He urged the masses and the working people of Nigeria to fight for an immediate end to the Obasanjo's government as well as its anti-peoples policies in all ramifications. This demand was enthusiastically received by the people at the rally notwithstanding the heavy presence of armed policemen at the venue.

The Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) intervened at the rally with materials which included the August/September and October//November special editions of Socialist Democracy and the perspective document titled Nigeria Crisis: Time for System Change. These materials were well received as 5 copies of the perspective document and 150 copies of both special editions of Socialist Democracy were sold.

One significant thing about the rallies at both Ikeja and Yaba was the large presence of many young men and women who mostly were either unemployed or belong to the poorest layers of the working masses. With this kind of enthusiastic support being expressed by this layer for the November 16 2004 general strikes/protests, another successful strike could be reasonably be expected.

But things should not be taken for granted hence DSM demands that the kind of November 3 rallies held in Lagos be organised across the country. One major shortcoming of these rallies however was the absence of political materials and banners produced by LASCO clearly stating demands of the movement. As we proceed with further mobilisation for general strike/mass action, which commences on November 16, 2004, this kind of lacuna must be corrected.

We in the DSM will however continue to take concrete steps to organise rallies, leafleteering, etc before and during the forthcoming struggle as we did in the October 11 to 14, 2004 general strike/protest. From our practical experience, struggle of this nature is better coordinated to achieve the desired objective. There is a need for mass consciousness about the issues involved as this will translate to support for the struggle and its organisers. For this reason, the demand for the building of strike/struggle committees in the communities, states and national levels for effective mobilisation and focused struggle and results, remains a major issue LASCO has to address.

Our ultimate goal is to help build a powerful pan-Nigeria working masses movement that is strong enough to take political power from the hands of the self-serving capitalist elements and in its place, create a workers and peasant government committed to the implementation of pro-masses socio-economic policies.

Socialist Democracy November 2004