Hitting
the ground running is how best to describe the activities of the Socialist
Party of Nigeria since January 15 when the party formally collected its
certificate of registration. On social media and in communities the party has
embarked on discussion as well as efforts on membership drive of and build the
party as a working people. Though not yet thronged by a mass of people, this is
expected at this stage anyway, the party has been attracting, across the length
and breadth of the country, individuals and groups who are change-seeking and
desirous of building a better Nigeria. The next phase is to organize
these diverse individuals and groups as the builders of the party at wards,
local councils and states across the country on the basis of the party program. However,
where the party already has a presence there is immediate need for
entrenchment.
On that account, between Saturday Feb 3 and Sunday Feb 4, different
forms of activities towards building of the party were held in Lagos, Osun and
Oyo states. In Lagos, a flier of the party sensitizing the public on the program of party and asking the masses to join us were circulated in
Abule-Egba, Okokomaiko and Ajegunle.
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| Abule-Egba Lagos |
In
Abule Egba, party members embarked on sensitization
activities in the community. Remarkably, a young
woman came back to our stand some minutes after apparently having read the
flier handed to her to demand more copies for circulation her in neighborhood.
There was also an elderly man who spent about 40 minutes at our stand for
discussion on the party. He believes that solution to Nigerian problem is a
bloodless revolution and agreed to join the party. Of course, taking over power
or winning offices and implementing the program of the party will set the
country on the path of a social revolution.
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| Abule-Egba Lagos |
Similar sensitization activities took place at Okokomaiko
where party members are currently helping organize campaign against police
brutality sparked by the killing of one person by the police. This weekend a
public meeting will be held to discuss the need for masses to join and build
the SPN as well as the campaign on police brutality.
In
Ajegunle, the first meeting of the party in community was held at which a 4-person protem leadership was elected.
Chinedu Bosah, National Secretary of the party was in attendance.
 |
| Ajegunle Lagos |
It
should be recalled that the formation of the SPN was initiated by the DSM with
support of some working class and youth activists. The registration of the
party was achieved not on a silver’s platter but through political and legal
struggles waged by the DSM members and supporters. So the members of DSM
have tasked themselves with mobilizing other change seeking elements to build
the party as a true party of the working masses and the poor.
On
that account, on Saturday in Osogbo a joint conference of DSM branches in Osun
and Ondo was held to discuss how to recruit members into the SPN, set up
structure of the party at ward and local government in two states and build the
SPN as a party that truly represents the interests and aspiration of workers,
youths and the masses.
 |
| Osogbo Osun State |
On
Sunday similar meeting with the same agenda was held in Ibadan where
representatives of DSM branches in Oyo state as well as Ilorin Kwara state were
in attendance. SPN membership drive flier and Membership forms were shared at
the both meetings, attended by Dagga Tolar, DSM Acting General Secretary, for distribution by comrades at their different areas. Also a
struggle fund of N100,000 was launched separately at both states to finance
some immediate activities towards the building of the party.
 |
| Ibadan Oyo State |
Earlier,
Osun state chapter had posted posters highlighting what the party stands for in
strategic areas in Osogbo and Ile-ife.
Similar
meeting had been earlier held on Saturday January 27 in Lagos with
representatives of branches in the state as well as Ogun. It was at the meeting
that public activities held on February 3 were agreed. The meeting also
proposed that the Lagos state meeting of the party be held on Saturday February
25.
 |
| Lagos |
In
Abuja a meeting, the third one since the collection of the certificate, was
held on Sunday February 4.
The
secretariat of the party is already working towards stimulating the party
functions at different states we have had members. We however urge members to
begin practical steps of organizing and building where they are at least two.
To rescue Nigeria from the shackle of the thieving capitalist ruling
elite, as we have set out to achieve, our correct idea and program has to be
matched with a formidable organization.
