SPN to Makinde: Your Presence at June 12 Protest, Mischievous, Deceptive

Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), Oyo State Chapter, has rejected the wrong insinuation that Governor Seyi Makinde of the state was genuinely part of the protest and commended protesters on their determination to carry on with the protest despite the distraction created by the governor.

SPN, describes as mischievous and deceptive the sudden appearance of Governor Makinde and his aides at the June 12 protest organised by hundreds of youths and workers in Ibadan on Saturday, June 12, 2021 against the failure of the Buhari-led government as well as state governments in the country to satisfy the need and aspirations of the Nigerian working but suffering masses.

A statement signed and made available to the press by the state Secretary of the party, Ayodeji Adigun, said the governor’s appearance at the protest was never genuine or conceived to identify with the protest and its demands as insinuated in some media reports.

Adigun said in the statement that
the dubious game plan was obviously affirmed by the open fight that broke out among some protesters while struggling to share the needless and unsolicited money given by the governor.

The party also condemned in totality, the statement credited to the Oyo State acting publicity secretary of the APC, Dr. Azeez Olatunde who wrongly described the June 12 protest in Ibadan as a secessionist agitation organised by hoodlums, clarifying that it is not true that the June 12 protest reportedly addressed by the governor at Osuntokun Junction, Bodija, Ibadan was a secessionist agitation and it was neither organised by hoodlums nor by the Governor but by some groups of oppressed Nigerians youths and workers who are not pleased with the precarious economic situation across the country with a desire for a radical change.

SPN called on youths, workers and the masses across the state to come together in building the party towards the quest to ensure the enthronement of a socialist government, not only in the state but also across the country.

The SPN statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital fully reads:

“It is our belief in SPN that the Governor’s appearance at the protest was never genuine or conceived to identify with the protest and its demands as insinuated in some media reports. Rather it was meant to create a false impression that the PDP-led government in the state, premised on the same anti-poor profit first philosophy and agenda as Buhari/APC -led federal government is not a part of the failure over insecurity and economic crisis that were the basis of the protest. It was also a game plan to detract from the objective of the protest by simply using money to toy with the beggarly economic condition of the protesting workers and youths.”

“Unfortunately, the dubious game plan was obviously affirmed by the open fight that broke out among some protesters while struggling to share the needless and unsolicited money given by the Governor. SPN frown against the usual traditional of the Engr Seyi Makinde-led government of using money to take advantage of the condition of misery faced by most youths in the state.”

“No wonder the government has continued to remain indifferent to the plight of thousands of youths who are often used as casual workers under a terribly precarious and slavery working conditions across some private companies in Oyo State like SUMAL FOOD LIMITED, NIGERIA EAGLES FLOUR MILLS LIMITED, ZARTECH FOOD LIMITED among others. This is besides, the cost of education which continues to be unavoidable for many youths in the State despite the recently announced 25% cosmetic reduction of unstipulated amount of payable fees in certain Institutions like LAUTECH. Therefore, as far as we are concerned in SPN such a government cannot be said to be pro- youths in anyway.”

“It is in the light of this, we reject the wrong insinuations that the participation of the Governor in the June 12 protest is with a good intention. Notwithstanding, we commend the determination of the protesters who shunned the Governor and its money, chanted anti-government song against the Governor and ensured that the protest was carried on until it was terminated at its calculated destination at Iwo road.”

“At the same time, we condemn in totality, the statement credited to the Oyo State acting publicity secretary of the APC, One Dr Azeez Olatunde who wrongly described the June 12 protest in Ibadan a secessionist agitation organised by hoodlums. It is not true that the June 12 protest reportedly addressed by the Governor at Osuntokun junction, Bodija, Ibadan was a secessionist agitation and it was neither organised by hoodlums nor by the Governor but by some groups of oppressed Nigerians youths and workers who are not pleased with the precarious economic situation across the country with a desire for a radical change.”

“SPN aligns itself with a desire for a radical transformation of the Nigeria state and economy. However, we hold that this can only be achieved through a government formed by workers, youths and masses run on the basis of a socialist programme which means making the basic needs of the vast majority, not the greed of a few, as the basis of economy and policies. This will include public ownership of the commanding heights of the economy under a democratic control and management of the working people as well as democratic control of public funds and projects by the working people. This is to ensure that enormous human and natural resources at the disposal of the country can be used to reconstruct the society to satisfy the needs of workers, youths and masses vis-a-vis decent jobs, shelter, education, health care, etc”

“It is in the light of this we of the SPN call on youths, workers and masses across the state to join us in building the party towards the quest to ensure the enthronement of a socialist government not only in the state but also nationally.”