Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

#ENDBADGOVERNANCE MOVEMENT LAGOS STATE MAY DAY 2025 GREETINGS

WE SALUTE NIGERIAN WORKERS AND CALL FOR A UNITED STRUGGLE OF WORKERS, YOUTH AND ALL OPPRESSED TO DEFEAT TINUBU’S POLICIES OF HUNGER, PAIN AND GROWING AUTHORITARIANISM

Greatest Nigerian Workers!

We in #EndBadGovernance Movement Lagos salute Nigerian workers on the occasion of this year’s International Workers Day’s commemoration. This day Nigerian workers join counterparts across the world in remembrance of the 1886 workers’ struggle to demand an 8-hour work day through a general strike in Chicago, United States.

May Day ought to be a day workers’ affirm their right to a living wage and decent lives, and demonstrate their resolve that the wealth created by them should be used in the interest of all and not a few capitalists.

However, this tradition has been eroded over the years by pro-establishment labour leadership who collaborate with the government or company management in the exploitation of workers.

TINUBU’S DISASTROUS ECONOMIC POLICIES

Since the inception of the Tinubu regime, Nigerian workers and the poor have faced unending neoliberal attacks, ranging from fuel subsidy removal, devaluation of the Naira, education commercialization, electricity tariff hike, mobile data and airtime hike to multiple bank charges; all of these contributing to food insecurity, escalating house rent, massive unemployment, insecurity and increasing poverty

STRUGGLE TO REDEEM NIGERIA

In August 2024, the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria led a nationwide protest against an unprecedented mass hunger, economic hardships and attacks on democratic rights witnessed under the Tinubu regime. Up till date, the regime has put on treason trial young Nigerians who came out to demand good governance.

To further demonstrate how despotic the regime has grown, several minors were detained for over 90 days. The regime even attempted to commence their trial if not for the local and global outrage, caused by the gory sight of these malnourished minors when they were brought to court. Meanwhile, Michael Adaramoye Lenin, Daniel Akande, Angel Love innocent, Opaluwa Eleojo and 7 others are still being charged with treason by the regime.

Unfortunately, while these attacks continue unabatedly, the leadership of the NLC and TUC have kept mute and even tried to distance themselves from the protest. Not even the arrest and detention of Opaluwa Eleojo who is the Vice Chairman of Kogi State NLC during this period could “anger” the leadership to action.

Without the united struggle of workers, youth and the oppressed masses, the Tinubu regime will continue to impose its ruinous anti-poor policies while also repressing all dissent voices. Infact, the struggle to liberate this country requires that we organize, mobilize and fight together as one. In view of this, we call for the support and collaboration of all Nigerian workers to fight for the demands below among others:

OUR DEMANDS

  • IMMEDIATE REVERSAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL POLICY AND RETURN FUEL PRICE TO PRE-MAY 2023 LEVEL.
  • AN END TO DISCRIMINATORY CATEGORIZATION OF ELECTRICITY USERS AND REVERSAL OF THE FAILED POWER PRIVATIZATION
  • IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF TRUMPED-UP CHARGES AND AN END OF SHAM TRIAL OF ALL #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria PROTESTERS. IMMEDIATE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF THOSE STILL IN DETENTION
  • IMMEDIATE REVERSAL OF EDUCATION COMMERCIALIZATION POLICY. AN END TO STUDENT LOAN; RATHER GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE GRANT AND ADEQUATELY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION UNDER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL. REVERSE RECENT HIKES IN FEES IN PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
  • END MASS HUNGER
  • END BANKS EXTORTIONS AND REVERSE MOBILE DATA AND AIRTIME HIKE
  • END NATIONWIDE INSECURITY
  • MASSIVE INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE COUNTRY TO CREATE JOBS FOR THE YOUTHS
  • END TO TINUBU’S AUTHORITARIANISM AND REPRESSION
  • INCREASE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE IN LINE WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION. FOR A LIVING WAGE
  • UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT FIND JOBS
  • CUT IN JUMBO PAYS OF POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS AND TOP GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONARIES
  • GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT O IN MASSIVE HOUSING SCHEME TO END HOUSING CRISES AND HIGH RENT.
  • GOVERNMENT MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE AS A MEASURE TO END FOOD INSECURITY
  • END POLICE BRUTALITY AND EXTORTION
  • CUT TIES WITH IMF/WORLD BANK AND END NEOLIBRALISM
  • FOR GENUINE ELECTORAL REFORMS

Hassan Taiwo Soweto

Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji

For the Organising Committee, #Endbadgovernance Movement, Lagos State