Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

Increasing Attacks on Democratic Rights in Nigeria: Solidarity Protest at Nigerian High Commission in London

September 9 protest demand end to repression and freeing of Nigerian political prisoners.

Earlier today, Monday 9 September 2024, members of the Socialist Party, England and Wales, held a solidarity demo under the auspices of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) at the Nigeria High Commission in London where they submitted a petition demanding the release of NLC President Joe Ajaero along with Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Daniel Akande as well as all those incarcerated in connection with the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.

Just before the protest began news broke of the arrest this morning of the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian secret police just before he was to board a flight at Abuja airport. He was due to travel to Britain so he could attend the annual conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton. Rapidly placards were made to include the demand for Joe Ajaero’s immediate release and his name was added to the protest petition which already included signatures of delegates to the TUC conference.

Adaramoye Michael Lenin

Micheal Lenin who was arrested on Sunday 5th August 2024 and is now falsely charged alongside others In Abuja with treason is the National Coordinator of the YRC. If found guilty, they could face death sentence which is the maximum penalty in Nigeria for treason. The YRC is a youth group formed by the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM). The group played crucial roles in the #EndSARs protest four years ago and also in the recent ten days of protests that rocked Nigeria last month over the hunger and hardship in the country.

This demo is part of international solidarity actions planned by the YRC and the Committee for a Workers International (CWI) to rally activists, trade unionists, youth groups and Socialists across the world to raise awareness about the repression and dictatorship in Nigeria and to build sustained pressure on the Nigerian government as Adaramoye Michael Lenin and 9 others appear at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday 11 September 2024 for a ruling on their bail application. Similar activities are planned in Nigeria on Wednesday – the day of the court sitting.

Speaking during the demo, one of the activists who is a member of the Socialist Party England and Wales, Deji, said “Socialists, working people and youth across the world are inspired by the #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria. We extend our solidarity to the working class and youth in Nigeria in their struggle against fuel price hike, anti-poor economic policies and attacks on democratic rights. We stand by them and urge them not to back down. We call on President Tinubu to halt the repression and release all those imprisoned now. Only a Socialist Nigeria can end the economic crisis facing the country”.

Deji promised that the SP E &W will continue to raise the issues of the repression in Nigeria within the trade unions, students unions and socialist movement with a view to build more for the struggle in Nigeria.

The Socialist Party England and Wales is the UK sister organisation of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) in Nigeria. Both groups are affiliated to the Committee for a Workers International (CWI).