Press statement of Revolutionary Socialist Movement, the ISp affiliate in Nigeria
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE MASSACRE OF PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN NIGERIA
4th AUGUST 2024
TINUBU ADDRESS TO NIGERIANS IS MOCKERY OF ORDINARY PEOPLE, FULL OF ARROGANCE, EMPTY PROMISES AND A JOURNEY WITHOUT DESTINATION
STOP THE KILLINGS OF PEACEFUL PROTESTERS
The Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM) unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attack on peaceful protesters by the Nigerian police and other securities. The Nigeria police and army must stop violence attack on protesters now.
We call for full investigation into this menace. For this to be truly reliable the investigation committee must be comprised by representatives of unions, social movements and other grassroots organisations. We have no faith that the government or the police itself will punish those responsible.
RSM salutes Nigerians for coming out to fight against the despotic and totalitarian Tinubu regime despite attempts to turn the protest to tribalism. The nationwide anti-hunger protest is long overdue as all tribes in Nigeria are suffering from the anti-poor policies of the Tinubu/APC government.
So far close to 50 people have been killed. 200 have been arrested and detained nationwide. We will fight tirelessly to get justice for those that were killed and demand release of all protesters.
It is shocking to see the Nigerian police using live ammunition on unarmed civilians protesting against policies that have made life unbearable.
The Tinubu administration ordered the shooting of hungry Nigerians who came to air out their grievances at a time when the gory memories of the October 2020 #ENDSARS protest are still vivid. It is a heinous crime against the Nigerian people.
Nigerians should not be deterred by any form of intimidation by the government as it is a normal thing with successive administrations to bully citizens and sweep it under the carpet.
The ruling class in Nigeria both past and present are undemocratic capitalist politicians that support neo liberal policies that make life unliveable for ordinary people.
We call on Nigerians to continue to come out until the Tinubu/APC government is forced to take some measures. Community organisers must closely monitor the developments in the country and hold the Tinubu administration accountable for the lives lost.
We equally call on all Nigerians to totally reject the mass hunger and suffering brought by this regime and not to back down until the demands presented are meet. Nigeria have enough resources to take care of everyone but the greed of capitalists and politicians in power won’t allow equitable distribution of our collective wealth.
We call on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to immediate commence general strikes to demand end to massacre, reversals of all anti poor policies. They have to present a plan of action, organise mass meetings where this plan is discussed with the rank and file, and assume determined action. There’s no hope under the Tinubu regime. The Tinubu reckless economic policies started on May 29, 2023 when he announced complete removal of subsidy. Labour leaders were unwilling to fight back.
At 34% inflation rate, the 70,000 new minimum wage will not solve working peoples’ economic problems.
Nigeria’s socio-economic and political crisis is deeply rooted in the system and its neo-liberal policies. It will remain unresolved until the labour movement and social movements come together to form a mass working political alternative for the labouring and suffering masses.
The RSM calls on workers, youth, socialists and human rights activists to come together to provide a socialist alternative to the present infectious agents of imperialism in Nigeria. That’s the only way to go. As things stand Nigerians must continue to fight for:
-end to killings of protesters
-an independent committee to investigate police crimes
-the release of all protesters
-an end to police violence
-immediate implementation of new minimum wage
-nationalisation, under workers and social control and management, of the key sectors of the economy
Signed;
Comrade Salako Kayode
RSM
Publicity Secretary
