PRESS STATEMENT
We of the
Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) call on mass of working people across the
country to utilize this year’s occasion of the “flag” independence of Nigeria
to renew efforts to build a genuine mass working people’s political alternative
through which they can set themselves free from the current socio-economic
bondage the successive ruling class regimes including the present one has
thrown the working masses into. This year’s commemoration of independence is
taking place against the background of cacophony of ethnic and divisive
sloganeering in our body polity.
We would recall that
few months ago, some self-confessing “Northern youths” in a press conference
declared a “quit notice” to Igbos in the Northern parts of Nigeria with the
notice set to expire on 1st October, 2017. While these elements
claimed that they have withdrawn the “quit notice”, there is general
apprehension as to possible break-out of ethno-religious killings in Northern
parts of the country.
We of the
Socialist Party of Nigeria are totally opposed to divisive ethno-religious
sloganeering and sectarian language. We call for building of inter-ethnic
working people’s committees’ of action to resist any sectarian attack on
working class communities in the North and other parts of the country.
We are also
opposed to the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the
President Muhammadu Buhari-led regime. We are opposed to the militarization of
the South-eastern part of the country and the repression of the agitations for
self-determination. We uphold the right to self-determination as a basic
fundamental right. However, our opposition to the proscription of the
Indigenous People of Biafra is not a support for the alienating speeches of the
leader of the organisation, Nnamdi Kanu and sectarian approach and method of the organisation.
We recognize the right
to self-determination up to secession if it is the democratic decision of
people of an ethnic group. However, we campaign for a united struggle of all
working people, youth and the masses of Nigeria for improved conditions side by
side with struggle for a united pan-Nigerian working people’s political
overthrow of the entire ruling elite of all ethnic stripes and the enthronement
of a genuine working people’s government that will guarantee basic needs of
life for the vast majority as well as sustainable economic development.
We in the Socialist Party of Nigeria are committed to this task
and we are in a higher stage of actualization of our registration in order to
act as a campaigning organisation within and outside the broader working class
movement. We are glad to state that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja
hearing our matter for the registration of our political party has set the 2ND
DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2017 as the DATE FOR JUDGMENT in the matter. We call on
everyone –workers, unemployed people, artisans, youths and students- to join
the Socialist Party of Nigeria and strive to achieve this urgent and important
task.
Chinedu Bosah
National
Secretary
