TOTAL MASS RESISTANCE NOW AGAINST ELECTRICITY TARIFF HIKE AND FUEL PRICE HIKE
LABOUR LEADERS SHOULD ENFORCE NLC 22ND JUNE, 2021 NEC RESOLUTION, CALL 2 DAY WARNING GENERAL STRIKE AND MASS PROTESTS FOR JUNE 30 TO JULY 2ND, 2021
FOR A SIXTH WEEK OF ACTION FROM 27TH JUNE, 2021
TIME FOR A MASS WORKING PEOPLE’S POLITICAL ALTERNATIVE!
FOR MASSIVE CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION IN CONTINUOUS VOTERS’
REGISTRATION COMMENCING TODAY, 28TH JUNE, 2021
I write to call for nationwide mass actions to resist the imminent fresh electricity tariff hike , which is set to commence officially on Thursday, 1st July, 2021.
I am also seized of the Communique of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) meeting held on Tuesday, 22nd June 2021 wherein there was a review of the recent industrial action and protests in Kaduna State against the mass sack of workers by the Kaduna State Government and the proposal by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to increase the current price of petrol (PMS) from the current 162 Naira per liter to between about 380 Naira and 408 Naira per liter.
I am also aware that the NLC NEC resolved
to withdraw all services nationwide and protest the extreme anti-workers policies of the Kaduna State Government,
the proposed increase in the price of PMS between N308 – N408 by the Nigeria Governors Forum and electricity tariff hike.
However, 6 days after issuing this valid ultimatum, there are no signs of active mass mobilisation of the rank and file of the labour movement.
I call on the leadership of the labour movement to activate the mandate of the NLC 22nd June, 2021 NEC and call a 3-day warning general strike commencing from Wednesday, 30th June, 2021 to 2nd July, 2021 with active mass mobilisation.
This would sound a notice of warning to the three tiers of Government and employers .
In the event where the leadership of the labour movement refuses, fails and neglects to call such a warning general strike, working people’s communities and youth groups should mobilise towards a National Day of Action against Electricity Tariff Hike for 1st July, 2021.
This will set the tone for a Sixth Week of Action to commencing today, 28th June, 2021 to 4th July, 2021. This will put pressure on the leadership of the labour movement to call such a warning general strike.
This will also help the rank and file of the labour movement to prepare for an indefinite general strike. An indefinite general strike raises instinctively the question of political power . It brings to fore the question of the class that is in control of society.
The question of a mass working people’s political alternative is a sore and urgent question for the entire labour movement. A Working Class Summit drawing together the rank and file of the labour movement to challenge the central labour bereaucracy and push for a mass political alternative will be crucial in the period ahead.
It is in this light that I call for massive Citizens’ participation in the Continuous Voters’ Registration being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,which commences today 28th June, 2021.
There is also need to fight for electoral access. The Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) 2021 Bill , which have significant improvements on the Electoral Act 2010 has not been passed into law , despite being at the Final Stage at the National Assembly.
It is this light that the Alliance for the Expansion of Electoral and Democratic Space , of which I am a Co-Spokesperson will be holding a Pre-#OccupyNASS Media engagement tomorrow, 29th June, 2021 when the Senate resumes for the week towards a #OccupyNASS 2.0 nationwide protests to push for passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill on 6th July, 2021.
A struggle for broader electoral space must also include opposition to deregistration and obnoxious conditions for registration.
AYO ADEMILUYI ESQ.,
Lagos,
Nigeria.
09097933015
