Press Statement
Fourteen years into the current civil
rule has, apart from the removal of direct military dictatorship, has almost
completely failed to meet the hopes and aspirations of the working masses. Even
the limited democratic rights which have been enjoyed during these years are
being challenged as the government moves towards more authoritarian methods and
a growing reliance on the security forces to enforce its rule. These years have
been a monumental failure for the capitalist ruling elite in Nigeria who have
been shown to be incapable in the areas of social services like education,
health care, etc and infrastructural development. This is in spite of the fact
the period since the end of military rule witnessed the longest run of oil
windfall in the history of Nigeria. In
other words, the country has amassed very huge oil and gas revenue much more
than any period since the discovery of the oil at commercial quantity. But there has been nothing fundamental to
show for it in term of social services and infrastructure development.
This is as a result of the tightening
grip of capitalist globalization and the ruling class’s prevailing neo-liberal
philosophy which discourages social spending and prioritises commercialization
and privatization under the guise of private-sector driven economy. This itself
enhances the propensity for corruption as the huge revenue at the disposal of
the government is not primarily meant to be spent on the welfare of the people.
Therefore the money is just there for looting.
It is not accidental that governance in this country is synonymous with
corruption. Even when money is allocated to a sector or project it is not
sincerely used for the public good but to gratify the greedy top government
functionaries and their fronts called contractors. The refineries' turn around
maintenance, power and road projects under the Obasanjo government readily come
to minds as one of the several examples of colossal looting of the treasury under
the guise of infrastructural development.
The oil wealth has made Nigeria a
fertile ground for the viable growth of parasitic capitalist ruling elite who
don't invest in production, apart from where they can make quick profits like
food, but pour money into campaigns for public offices where their looting makes
a huge profit at the expense of the poor and working people. This together with
the poor state of infrastructure accounts for why the so-called economic growth
has not led to job creation and poverty reduction. The so-called poverty eradication program of
the government is not only extremely tokenistic but also another cesspit of
corruption. The allocation to education and health care are well below the
international recommendations for third world countries. The poor state of the
education and health sectors means that the capitalist politicians in power do
not patronize public schools and hospitals.
For the simplest of ailment they are off to Europe. More annoyingly,
they draw from public resources to settle the bill.
On top of all these is the
monumental unemployment situation which has turned Nigeria to a seething time
bomb. Youth unemployment is particularly outrageous with over 28 million youths
estimated to be unemployed. The youth unemployment situation contributes
largely to the ethno-religious crisis of Boko Haram, kidnapping and armed
robbery rocking the nation. A million State of Emergency declarations will fail
to end this cycle of terrorism, violence and bloodletting unless government
begins to invest in social programs to create real and well-paid jobs. Indeed
not just the North eastern states, several forms of ethno-religious crisis can
occur in every part of the country given the level of anger, frustration and
discontent of the big youth population which feel increasingly alienated and
abandoned by society.
Instead of stealing billions of
our collective resources under the guise of fighting Boko Haram, we challenge
the clueless Jonathan government to declare, as a minimum let's say 200, 000
permanent job offers on a living wage to youths in the North irrespective of
education qualifications and let’s see if Boko Haram will continue to have enough
fighters ready to die for their reactionary objective of a sharia state. This
is because any youth who has a job has a future - which is what majority of
frustrated youths being recruited by Boko Haram in the North and other violent
groups elsewhere lack. But the Goodluck Jonathan government will not take this
step because it is far more profitable to the politicians and their contractor
friends to continue push through this official genocide called state of
emergency instead of creating jobs and other social amenities that can give the
youths of this country a bright future.
This is why the Socialist Party
of Nigeria (SPN) is using the occasion of May 29 "Democracy Day"
celebration to call for a socialist change in Nigeria. There must be an end to
the neo-liberal capitalist program of privatisation and commercialisation if the
resources of the country can be used for the benefit of the vast majority. The
pay and allowance of top government functionaries and all political office
holders must be based on the civil service salary structure. The commanding heights of the economy, (e.g.
oil, banks, etc) must be placed under the democratic control of the elected
representatives of workers and relevant professionals who are subject to recall
by their electors. There must be adequate allocation to education, health care
and public works together with their democratic running with the elected
representatives of workers and relevant professionals, subject to recall by
their electors, on committees and organs at all levels.
The fact is the capitalist ruling
elites and their parties cannot support or implement those measures. They have to be voted out of power. This is why we have been canvassing for the
formation of a mass working peoples’ party with a socialist program to contest
and wrest political power. In the interim, the SPN is being formed to contest
election on socialist program and work towards formation of a mass working
peoples' party. Until such party is built
and wins political power the situation, on the basis of neo-liberal capitalist
program, can only get worse for the working people and the poor. The future is
bleak for the vast majority.
Segun Sango
Protem National Chairperson
Socialist Party of Nigeria
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