Democratic Socialist Movement

For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria

By - DSM

COMMUNIQUE OF THE #ENDBADGOVERNANCE FIRST ANNIVERSARY PUBIC SYMPOSIUM

On the one-year anniversary of the historic #EndBadGovernance protest, a public symposium was jointly convened by the #Endbadgovernance movement Lagos state and the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) to reflect on the movement’s legacy and chart a strategic path forward. This Saturday 9th of August, 2025 in Lagos was attended by a broad spectrum of civil society organizations, labor activists, and concerned citizens, the gathering served as a platform for critical introspection and collective strategizing.

GUEST SPEAKERS at the symposium were: (1) Rufus Olusesan – President, Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA), (2) Rasheedat Adeshina – Representative, Joint Action Front (JAF), (3) Hauwa Mustapha – MOTION Convener and Deputy National Chair, Alliance for Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB), (4) Zikora Ibeh – Assistant Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), (5) Oluwaseyi Akinde (Prof) – Representative, organizing committee of the #Endbadgovernance movement Lagos state, (6) Wale Balogun – Convener, Mekunnu Koya, (7) Bar. Joseph Opute – Legal adviser, #Endbadgovernance Movement Lagos State, (8) Otunba Talabi – Representative, Movement for Fundamental Change, (9) Dagga Tolar – General Secretary, Movement for Socialist Alternative (MSA) and (10) Hassan Taiwo Soweto – NEC member, Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM).

Moderated by Francis Nwapa, National Secretary of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), the symposium unanimously reaffirmed that the struggle against bad governance is a continuous and non-negotiable duty for the working people and youth. This communiqué delineates the key observations and resolutions drawn from the robust discussions of the day.

KEY OBSERVATIONS

  1. THE PROTEST AS A HISTORIC AWAKENING:

The symposium unequivocally acknowledged the #EndBadGovernance protest of 1st to 10th August 2024 as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history. Born out of profound economic hardship and the unbearable cost of living, it demonstrated the power of a collective, united voice to challenge a system of governance that had subjected millions to abject poverty. The resilience of the protesters, who marched on the streets nationwide despite threats and intimidation, underscored that the people possess the ultimate power to hold the ruling elite accountable.

  1. STATE REPRESSION AND LEGAL VICTORY:

The symposium condemned in the strongest terms the brutal and violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by state security forces. The unjust arrests, detentions, and the tragic loss of lives, including innocent individuals killed in their homes, remain a painful and unforgivable act. However, the movement’s subsequent legal victory in Lagos state on July 24, 2025 against the Nigeria Police Force was celebrated as a monumental triumph for the rule of law. It established a vital legal precedent for the right to peaceful assembly and affirmed that the state has no authority to suppress citizens’ right to dissent.

  1. ABSENCE OF GENUINE, MASS-BASED AND PRO-PEOPLE POLITICAL ALTERNATIVES:

A central point of deliberation was the glaring vacuum in genuine political leadership. Speakers noted that while the current government emerged with a very low voter turnout, indicating a weak mandate, the opposition does not offer a fundamentally different path. The consensus was that all major political parties and their candidates—including those often perceived as alternatives—are members of the same ruling class, serving local and international capitalist interests. The symposium argued that merely changing one political face for another would not address the systemic issues of poverty and inequality.

  1. RETREAT OF THE LABOUR UNIONS FROM CLASS STRUGGLE:

Speakers lamented the retreat of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from the class struggle which has become a crucial factor behind the weakness of the resistance against neo-liberal and anti-poor policies of the Tinubu regime. The refusal of the NLC and TUC to mobilise a fightback against fuel subsidy removal after initially calling and then suspending a general strike in June 2023 emboldened the Tinubu government to continue its attacks on living standards and is one of the reasons behind the eruption of the #Endbadgovernance protest last year. When the protest broke out, the labour unions refused to mobilise their members to join. Despite this however, the NLC leadership still came under brutal attacks of the state. However individual workers joined the protest actions and some union affiliates have been supporting the movement.

This shows why activists cannot rule out the role of the labour unions in the struggle against anti-poor attacks despite the character of their leadership. Indeed, by virtue of its role in production, the working class is crucial to the struggle to effect fundamental change in any country including Nigeria. Therefore, as a movement, we need to continue to find ways to establish linkages with the labour movement.

  1. DISUNITY OF THE LEFT AND PROGRESSIVE FORCES:

The symposium identified the fragmentation of revolutionary and progressive groups as one of the greatest obstacles to building a formidable mass movement. This disunity prevents the collective anger and power of the people from being channeled into a unified, coherent force for political change. The speakers lamented that while the ruling elite remains united in its self-interest, the left and progressive forces continue to be divided along group lines, hindering its ability to act in a united fashion to mobilize a majority.

  1. WEAPONISATION OF POVERTY:

The symposium observed how poverty has been consciously weaponized by the capitalist ruling elite to weaken and divide the people. This was exemplified by instances where pro-government protesters were paid paltry sums to counter the genuine struggles of the people. This deliberate strategy underscores the urgent need for a movement that can provide not just political education but also a clear and powerful alternative that liberates the poor from economic subjugation.

  1. SYSTEMIC CHANGE REQUIRED TO END BAD GOVERNANCE:

Speakers talked about the concept of good governance and bad governance and noted that capitalism is at the root of corruption and bad governance in Nigeria. Therefore, any successful struggle to end bad governance must lead to fundamental and systemic change before good governance is achieved. This means the way Nigeria is being run since 1960 and up till now has to be changed. Several speakers put forward the idea of the establishment of a democratic Socialist Nigeria under which the commanding heights of the economy are nationalized and placed under democratic workers’ control and management as the only way good governance can be accomplished in Nigeria.

RESOLUTIONS AND WAY FORWARD

Based on the deliberations, the symposium resolved to pursue the following actions:

  1. ESTABLISHING A COMMITTEE FOR UNITY:

A committee comprising 3 to 5 comrades, including Comrade Wale Balogun, Bar. Joseph Opute and Professor Femi Obayori, will be constituted with an immediate mandate to reach out to various progressive groups, labor unions, and student bodies. This committee will work to harmonize the diverse demands of these organizations and forge a single, powerful front with a common program for political engagement.

  1. TRANSITION TO GRASSROOT MOBILISATION:

The movement will shift its primary focus from spontaneous protests to consistent, community-based political education and mobilization. Activists will be encouraged to form local cells in various communities across the country beyond Lagos and Abuja. This is aimed at simplifying radical ideas including in local languages, engaging people on their daily struggles, and building a broad, organized base for protest movement and revolutionary change.

  1. PREPARATION FOR A DECISIVE ELECTORAL INTERVENTION IN 2027:

The symposium unanimously agreed that a genuine electoral intervention in 2027 is a critical component of the struggle. This intervention must be guided by a clear ideological commitment to not support any member of the ruling class. The movement must work to either build a new party or collectively adopt an existing platform (such as the Labour Party or AAC) on the condition that its leadership is ideologically aligned with a radical, pro-people program.

  1. CONTINUED LEGAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE SUPPORT:

The symposium resolved to sustain its support for all Nigerians including activists who are being unlawfully arrested and brutalized by the state. All participants are urged to mobilize en masse for the next court sitting on October 9 to demand the dropping of charges against Adaramoye Micheal Lenin and 10 others.

  1. A PROGRAM FOR A NEW NIGERIA:

The symposium declared that the ultimate goal is to dismantle the capitalist system that breeds bad governance. To this end, the movement must unite around a minimum program that includes free, quality education, accessible healthcare, and a decent standard of living for all Nigerians. The struggle to end bad governance is the struggle to elevate our lives as humans and build a new, just, and democratic socialist society.

CONCLUSION

The symposium concluded with a solemn tribute to the martyrs of the struggle, with a renewed commitment to continue the fight against anti-poor policies and attacks on democratic rights and for system change. We must be optimistic and resolute, for the current Tinubu regime is a “giant with clay feet” and the ultimate power rests with the people.

Ibrahim Duroorike

For the Communique Drafting Committee

Saturday 9 August 2025