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For struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria |
Committee for a Workers' International
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Socialist Democracy September - October 2003
NCP CONDEMNS INVASION OF OJOTA GARAGEBy O.S.B Sankara The Lagos State chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) has condemned in its entirety the armed invasion of the Ojota New Garage Motor Park by mobile policemen. The August 16, 2003 invasion and occupation of the garage was ordered by the Lagos State Government. It was carried out ostensibly to forestall a likely breach of public peace and security of lives and property as a result of alleged disputes between rival road transport unions. But the invasion actually resulted in the assault, rape, vandalisation and looting of properties worth hundreds of thousands of naira. About 200 vehicles and over 200 people were detained illegally at the Alausa Secretariat of the Lagos State Government. Contrary to the claims of the Lagos State Government that the invasion was prompted by alleged disputes among the transport union workers, investigations revealed that the invasion was prompted by the selfish calculations to convert the public land on which the motor park is situated to private companies and individuals! To say the least, the government's lie and conduct on this issue constitutes a grave danger to the survival of Nigeria's so-called nascent democracy. The NCP said that even if for any reason the government wanted to eject the road transport workers from the park in issue, its approach of armed invasion and occupation of the park only after giving three days� notice, without any court order is totally illegal and in the circumstances constituted a crude violation of the relevant laws governing recovery of premises and together with that of the fundamental rights of the victims of this executive recklessness. This heartless and anti-poor action of the Lagos State Government shows why the masses should be more critical and stop voting for corrupt, pro-rich, elitist politicians during elections. Instead we should put all efforts together to build and vote for a genuine, pro-masses political party. The party calls on the labour movement, human right groups and all men and women of good conscience to rise up in unison to condemn and fight this creeping civilian dictatorship. The NCP demands: *an independent public enquiry made up of representatives of the trade unions, human right groups, road transport workers, etc, to investigate this bestial invasion in all ramifications and to determine the conducts of the Lagos State Government, the police and all those that directly or indirectly instigated this sordid act with a view to bring them to book to forestall a repeat in future. *the immediate and unconditional release of all the persons and vehicles detained in connection with the invasion *all those directly and indirectly involved in this dastardly act should be tried and punished under the relevant laws of the land. *immediate withdrawal of the invading police contingent presently stationed at the Ojota New Garage. *public financed hospital treatments for all those who were raped and otherwise assaulted during the moment of madness in issue. *adequate financial compensation for all the victims of this needless official brigandage and state terrorism. *an immediate halt to all attempts at selling, leasing or transferring to private hands the public land presently housing the Ojota New Garage.
Socialist Democracy September - October 2003
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