For Struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria
NANS ZONE D ELECTION The Worst In History (By Eko John Nicholas) The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS Zone D), comprising all the higher institutions in the south western states of Nigeria: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo, held its convention on the 21st July 2007, at the College of Agricultural Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ayetoro Campus, in
2007 ELECTION AND THE WORKING MASSES Although, 2007 general elections had come and gone, it would continue to be seen by all honest people as the greatest farcical electoral exercise ever conducted in the history of Nigeria. The background to the April elections was an indication of “a do or die” contest among the thieving ruling elite. Perceived formidable figures
MINIMUM WAGE Time for a Living Wage (By Emma Adikwu) For decades, workers in Nigeria have been groaning under the weight of incessant hardship being imposed on them by successive governments, through unilateral increases in petroleum pump price that is usually accompanied by a corresponding rise in inflation that affects virtually all goods and services in the country. As such,
Socialist Democracy August 2007 Edition AFTERMATH JUNE 2007 GENERAL STRIKE Which Way Forward For The Working Masses? (By Segun Sango, DSM General Secretary) Between June 20 and June 23, 2007, Nigeria came to a complete halt as working people led the mass of the population in struggle against the latest attacks of the ruling robber elite. Overall, the general strike/mass
JUNE 2007 GENERAL STRIKE AFTERMATH: WHICH WAY FORWARD FOR THE WORKING MASSES? Between June 20 and June 23, 2007, Nigeria came to a complete halt as working people led the mass of the population in struggle against the latest attacks of the ruling robber elite. Overall, the general strike/mass protest recorded a huge success in terms of the massive support
NANS Zone D Convention This weekend (July 21/22) the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D (Southwest Nigeria) is holding its annual Convention to elect a new leadership at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ayetoro Campus, Ogun State. The Democratic Socialist Movement is presenting a comrade, Hassan Taiwo Soweto from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Chapter, to contest the post of
Four day General Strike ends Government makes partial retreat, but fundamental issues remain Robert Bechert, CWI London The latest general strike in Nigeria has ended when, on June 23, the trade union leaders accepted a government offer that granted most, but not all, of their demands. This four day stoppage was the most widespread and complete of the eight general
Bulletin 02 ONGOING SUCCESSFUL STRIKE: Labour Must Fight for Total Social Transformation The resounding success of the ongoing general strike and mass protest against hike in fuel prices, hike in VAT, etc, show just how little support the new government has. Despite the very small size of the May 28 and 29 protests Yar’Adua’s administration has no legitimacy. Its so-called
DSM Bulletin 01 GENERAL STRIKE: Workers and Poor Masses Must Resist Neo-liberal Attacks and Fight for Social Transformation Arise, workers and poor masses of Nigeria and join the nationwide strike and protest called by Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO). We have nothing to lose but shackles of anti-poor neo-liberal attack inflicted on us by Obasanjo/Yar’Adua government. LASCO has called
General strike brings country to a standstill Report of first day Pelad, DSM Executive Committee, Lagos The first day (June 20, 2007) of the general strike and protest called by the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) in Nigeria was a huge success. This was despite the confusion that heralded the action. 24 hours before the strike, the government granted
South Africa: Public sector workers in mass fightback In what the South African independent television channel, ETv, described as the biggest strike since 1994 (the year the ANC government came to power), the overwhelming majority of South Africa’s one million public sector workers started an indefinite mass action campaign in support of a 12% salary increase on Friday 1 June.
DSM PRESS STATEMENT Fuel Price, VAT: Workers and Poor Masses Must Resist the Increase The Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) strongly condemns the recent fuel price increase from N65 to N75 per litre. We call on labour and pro-masses organisations to lead workers and poor masses to resist this new increase. The immediate past Obasanjo government just two days prior to
Nationwide protests greet new rulers NLC, TUC issue 14 day ultimatum – but workers’ leaders must act decisively over new attacks Two days of national protest against April’s elections was called by the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) for 28 and 29 May. The new president Umaru Yar’Adua’s was to be inaugurated on May 29 which was made a
DSM leaflet, May 21, 2007 THE MAY 28 & 29 MASS ACTION BUILD ACTION COMMITTEES IN WORK PLACES AND COMMUNITIES!! FIGHT FOR REAL DEMOCRACY: OUST THE LOOTERS!!! The decision of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO), comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Action Forum (JAF), to embark on a 2-day mass action on
THE FARCE CALLED 2007 GENERAL ELECTION: WHY LABOUR SHOULD LEAD MASS RESISTANCE AN OPEN LETTER TO TRADE UNION AND LASCO LEADERS Segun Sango General Secretary, Democratic Socialist Movement Nigeria is at a cross road! Right now, even if temporarily, absurdity has triumphed over reality. Millions know that the April 2007 so-called general elections were a fraud. However they are unsure
A HIGHLY MILITARIZED MAY DAY This year’s May Day witnessed the first-ever joint rallies by the two trade union federations in the country, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as the first practical step towards a resolved working relationship between the labour centres. However, what should have been the most significant feature of this May
FREE ARRESTED ACTIVISTS NOW Update Late Wednesday (May 2nd) all the DSM comrades and other activists who had been detained by the State Security Service (SSS) were released. None of those who had been held were charged with any criminal offence, while they were held in detention the SSS simply carried out the “usual” political questioning of asking them “who
SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY MAY DAY SPECIAL EDITION The Type Of Labour Leadership Needed In Post 2007 Elections The two trade union federations in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), have recently elected new leaderships. However, a more significant development is the resolve of the new leaderships of the two labour centers to establish a
SOCIALIST DEMOCRACY MAY DAY SPECIAL EDITION 2007 Elections Farce: Working Class Should Lead A Fight Back The farce called 2007 general elections climaxed with what was supposed to be Presidential and National Assembly elections of Saturday April 21, 2007. According to official results, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, the ruling PDP’s presidential candidate scored 70% of the total votes. To millions of
Joint May Day: NLC and TUC Must Flag off Mass Action against Electoral Fraud The Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) heartily welcomes the decision of the two trade union federations in the country, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to hold a joint May Day rally for the very first time this year. This, we expect, will herald