Wednesday 19 November 2014

Protests in Nigeria and Europe against Non-Registration of SPN



Hearing in the Suit against INEC at Federal High Court Abuja adjourned until November 27

Register SPN Now!
By SPN Reporters

There were protests today in Nigeria, Germany, Belgium, England and Sweden today, Wednesday November 19, against the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) despite it fulfilling all the legally stipulated requirements, albeit onerous and undemocratic,  for registration of a political party. 

The SPN was formed by members of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) (CWI Nigeria) together with some trade unionists and activists across Nigeria. The legal and constitutional requirements which have been met include payment of non-refundable administrative fee of N1million (One Million Naira), National Headquarters in Abuja and National Executive Committee (NEC) with members from at least 24 states plus Abuja. 

The action in Nigeria, which included circulation of leaflets to motorists and passers-by, took place at the Federal High Court Abuja where the first hearing of the suit filed by the party against the INEC was to be held.  The members of SPN also protested with banner and posters demanding the registration of the party and calling on the working people and youths to join the party.  

In Sweden, Germany, Belgium and England, members of the Committee for a Workers International (CWI), the international socialist organization which DSM is affiliated to, held protests at the Nigerian Embassies with copies of the SPN poster and leaflet and submitted protest letters to the country representatives.     

The matter at the court has been adjourned until November 27, 2014. As of today INEC has not filed its response to the suit, a tactic aimed at delaying the matter. This is no doubt a continuation of the attempts to prevent the legal existence of a party like SPN that represents the interests and aspirations of working people and poses a socialist alternative to the anti-poor neo-liberal capitalist program of the pro-establishment political parties. 

The members of the SPN have resolved to use all legal and democratic means to force the INEC to register the party. 

Meanwhile, the legal action against INEC has started attracting media attention. One of the leading national newspapers, the Punch, published the report on its website today. The protesting members of SPN were also interviewed by some journalists at the action in Abuja.  

Below are some photos of the actions in Nigeria and Europe.

Nigerian Embassy Brussels Belgium

Nigerian Embassy Brussels Belgium

Nigeria High Commission London England
Nigerian Embassy Berlin Nigeria

Nigerian Embassy Berlin Germany
The protest letter slipped through the door after the Nigerian Embassy staff refused to come out to collect it. One staff  later came to pick it up

Nigerian Embassy Stockholm Sweden

Nigerian Embassy Stockholm Sweden
Federal High Court Abuja Nigeria

3 comments:

  1. Who's afraid of the vibrant socialist alternative to the rot in the Nigerian political terrain?
    Self-proclaimed elder socialists, come out of your cocoon and join the race to liberate Nigeria.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Solidarity .. INEC should register the masses party now.. Socialist Party of Nigeria is the solution to all our problems in Nigeria. Viva to Socialist.. Forward to Socialist. From Ayoola Afolabi Oluwanifemi from OMUARAN, Kwara State.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So your having a big party and you are struggling with the idea of having the party at your own house or booking a venue for the occasion. There are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to each decision. In this article, I hope to highlight them for you to help you make a measured decision. bachelor party

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