Group Marks Anniversary of #EndBadGovernance Crackdown, Demands Justice and Socialist Alternative

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The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) has renewed its call for mass resistance against what it described as “the looting regime” of President Bola Tinubu, as the group marked the first anniversary of the violent crackdown on the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest.

In a statement issued on Monday, September 1, and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Daniel Akande, the group recalled that plain-clothed police officers invaded his place of worship on September 1, 2024, abducted, and detained him alongside other protesters in what he called a “Gestapo-style operation.”

Akande, who is currently facing treason and terrorism charges along with ten others, condemned the government’s continued persecution of activists while failing to address the demands that triggered the protests. He accused the Tinubu administration of entrenching impunity and worsening the living and working conditions of Nigerians through what he termed “neo-liberal economic policies.”

“The removal of fuel subsidy has unleashed unbearable hardship on the masses. Food, transport, and basic necessities have become unaffordable, while unemployment has reached alarming levels. The minimum wage of ₦70,000 is nothing but a poverty wage, incapable of sustaining families,” Akande stated.

He further criticized the government’s students’ loan scheme, describing it as a ploy to commercialize education and exclude working-class youths. According to him, fewer than 10 percent of applicants have benefited, while funds are allegedly diverted by political cronies.

SNWR also condemned the government’s rising debt profile and alleged reckless spending, citing the ₦39 billion renovation of the International Conference Centre in Abuja under the supervision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The group expressed concern over what it called the regime’s escalating repression of dissenting voices, particularly referencing the continued persecution of activist Omoyele Sowore and the ongoing treason trial of the “#AbujaEndBadGovernance11.”

Akande insisted that no amount of intimidation could silence the working class, stressing the need for Nigerians to unite in building a workers’ political party rooted in socialist ideals.

“We must intensify organization and mobilization. The working class has a historic task: to build or support a political party committed to nationalizing the commanding heights of the economy under democratic control, so Nigeria’s wealth can serve the majority rather than a parasitic minority,” he declared.

The SNWR concluded that victory against what it called bad governance lies in unity, mass action, and socialist transformation, urging Nigerians to prepare for a deeper struggle in the months ahead.

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