A coalition of labour groups, student unions, and progressive organisations, led by Socialist Labour, has called for a nationwide mass peaceful protest on October 1, 2024. Dubbed the “National Day of Survival,” the demonstration aims to address the growing hardship and suffering faced by ordinary Nigerians under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protest organisers are urging all democratic and mass-based organisations, traders, professionals, and unions to join in solidarity. According to the press release, the rising cost of living, driven by soaring fuel prices, electricity tariffs, job losses, and increases in school fees, has pushed the masses to the brink.
The protest will also highlight the plight of activists and protesters unjustly detained during past demonstrations against bad governance, including those who took part in the August protests.
The organisers have outlined ten key demands, including:
1. Reversing hikes in fuel prices and electricity tariffs.
2. Reducing food prices and supporting sustainable food production.
3. Addressing insecurity, banditry, and violent crimes.
4. The unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters.
5. Implementing a real living wage and reducing the cost of governance.
6. Providing free education for Nigerian children and reducing tertiary education fees.
7. Prosecution of corrupt politicians and public officials.
8. Investment in public works to create decent jobs.
9. Genuine electoral reforms, including independent candidacy and diaspora voting.
Dr. James Uanhoro and Dr. Izielen Agbon, representatives of Socialist Labour, emphasised the need for collective action and urged Nigerians to unite for a better future on October 1st.
For further details, contact:
Dr. James Uanhoro (jamesuanhoro@gmail.com)
Dr. Izielen Agbon (izielenagbon@yahoo.com).
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
Join the Mass Peaceful Protests.
National Day of Survival – October 1, 2024.
Socialist Labour calls on all democratic and mass-based organisations, labour and student unions, traders and professional associations, to come out en masse on the October 1st for the National Day of Survival mass peaceful protests. The hardship, hunger, and repression inflicted on us by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime have pushed the masses to the brink. The suffering of ordinary people has worsened due to crushing poverty, job losses and the hike in fuel price, school fees and electric tariffs. President Tinubu has ignored the cries of the poor while enriching himself and his circle.
This October 1st, workers, students, youth, trade unions, and all progressive organisations must come together to demand an end to these oppressive policies. This is a time for solidarity. We must also raise our voices in defence of our comrades who have been unjustly detained for standing against bad governance during the August protests.
Socialist Labour fully endorses the ten cardinal demands for the National Day of Survival. These demands represent the collective will of the people for a more just and equitable society. The ten demands are:
(1) Say no to IMF neo-liberal policies. Reverse hike in fuel price and electricity tariff back to pre-May 29, 2023 level. Make government-owned refineries work to guarantee affordable fuel products.
(2) Reduce food prices and end hunger. Support farmers to ensure sustainable food production.
(3) End insecurity, banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Prosecute culprits and their sponsors. For a robust security architecture and adequate support for soldiers at the front and their families.
(4) Release all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters, journalists, whistleblowers and other victims of state repression unconditionally.
(5) Implement automatic real living minimum wage that is supported by law.
(6) Reduce the cost of governance. Place all political office holders on the minimum wage. Scrap security vote and constituency allowances.
(7) Provide free and compulsory primary and secondary education for all Nigerian children. Reduce tertiary education school fees. Give Nigerian students grant and not loans.
(8) Immediate prosecution and jailing of all corrupt politicians, judges, police, public servants and state officials.
(9) Massive investment in public works, social infrastructure and industrialization to create decent jobs for all.
(10) Genuine electoral reform. For independent candidature, diaspora voting and a truly independent electoral body.
Our message is simple: we must unite and organise for better lives for ourselves, our friends and families. Let us stand as one on October 1st, the National Day of Survival. Join us as we demand an end to the Government’s anti poor people policies and also freedom for those detained for protesting in the past.
Dr. James Uanhoro,
jamesuanhoro@gmail.com
Dr. Izielen Agbon
izielenagbon@yahoo.com
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