The experience of the 2023 elections and the political developments that have followed make one point increasingly unavoidable: if Nigeria’s left, labour movement, and progressive forces remain divided, they will continue to struggle against entrenched elite dominance. The challenge is not simply about replacing...
Tina Nkechi
The election season is upon us. Many politicians are making promises for what they may do if elected next year. In addition, we have just had May Day when the trade union leaders made a series of demands. All these promises and demands...
In the French presidential election, Jean-Luc Mélenchon is the socialist who was most likely to reach the second round of the elections. Danièle Obono is an MP for La France Insoumise (Rebellious France) and an Afro-feminist, anti-globalist and eco-socialist activist.
The following paper was recently presented, in early March 2022, at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) “Workers Political Conference” by Professor Yusufu Ali Zoaka, the Lead Paper Presenter. As an academic and trade unionist, Prof Zoaka identifies the first of the main impediments against political engagement by trade emancipation as unity among the labour forces, the numerous socialist groups and civil society groups. He concludes by calling on the working people to close ranks under the leadership of the NLC to lead all into a more prosperous society that should promote equity, justice and fair play for all.
The following paper was recently presented at the Trade Union Congress Political Round Table by Prof Toye Olorode as the Lead Discussant. As a seasoned trade union activist, Olorode is in an excellent position to review the relationship between trade unions and their support for political parties and elections. He concludes: "The task of Nigeria’s working people, clearly, is to organise and take that political power from the ruling class: by all means necessary!"