By Femi Falana SAN(Being the text of the keynote address delivered at the Pan-African High-Level Dialogue on Accountability in Lagos, Nigeria, 10-11, September 2026)
INTRODUCTION – THE WRONG QUESTION
The organisers of this dialogue have posed a question which is both timely and provocative: Have We...
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!"