. . . Backs nationwide Labour protest

By TINA TIMOTHY

The United Campaign Against Anti-People Policies (UCAPP) has said that the Bola Tinubu-led government “has consistently prioritized the interests of the privileged few over the well-being of the masses.”

UCAPP, in a statement on Monday, February 26, 2024 by its Spokesperson, Daniel Akande, affirmed that the group stands in solidarity with the scheduled protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) against the economic hardship in the country, adding that “the burden of this crisis weighs heavily on the shoulders of ordinary citizens, amplifying their struggles to make ends meet.”

According to the statement, “The United Campaign Against Anti-people Policies (UCAPP) firmly supports the solidarity protest organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), scheduled for 27th-28th February 2024, against the rising cost of living. We stand united in our rejection of the fuel and gas price increases alongside the escalating food costs imposed on the Nigerian masses.

“The increasing cost of living has inflicted severe economic hardship on countless Nigerians, exacerbating their already difficult financial situations due to the anti-people neoliberal policies of the Tinubu regime. The burden of this crisis weighs heavily on the shoulders of ordinary citizens, amplifying their struggles to make ends meet. The recent surge in food inflation rate to 35.41% in January 2024, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics, underscores the dire situation faced by the working masses.

“Since the inception of the Tinubu regime, the working people have endured relentless attacks from one neo-liberal, anti-poor, and anti-people policy to another. From the removal of fuel subsidy to deceptive student loan schemes and the imminent removal of electricity subsidy, the Tinubu regime has consistently prioritized the interests of the privileged few over the well-being of the masses.”

The group further demanded a transformative approach to utilizing the country's resources so as to benefit the collective populace rather than a select few

The statement continues: “In response, UCAPP calls for the nationalization of key sectors of the economy, placing them under the democratic control and management of the working people. This transformative approach is crucial to ensure that the nation's wealth and resources are utilized for the collective benefit of the populace rather than being exploited for the exclusive gain of a select few.”

Commenting further on the economic crisis and corruption cases rocking the country, the group said they “highlight the rampant corruption plaguing the nation's governance structures.”

“Moreover, amidst the economic crises, the Nigerian working masses continue to face rising insecurity, unemployment, poverty, kidnapping, food insecurity, and even suicide rates. The recent revelations of staggering embezzlements within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development highlight the rampant corruption plaguing the nation's governance structures,” UCAPP stated.

Consequently, UCAPP lauds the NLC and TUC in their resistance against anti-people policies and urged “workers, students, youth, market women and men, and the unemployed to mobilize and form Protest and Strike Action Committees to coordinate the upcoming protests and strike actions,” adding that “only through socialism can we end the growing capitalist crises and ensure a better future for all Nigerians.”

“UCAPP commends the actions of the NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in providing necessary leadership for the resistance against the anti-people policies of the Tinubu regime. We call on workers, students, youth, market women and men, and the unemployed to mobilize and form Protest and Strike Action Committees to coordinate the upcoming protests and strike actions.

“Victory for the working masses is achievable through organized and united action. Therefore, UCAPP urges the working masses to remain resolute in their demands for affordable living conditions and the nationalization of critical sectors of the economy. Only through socialism can we end the growing capitalist crises and ensure a better future for all Nigerians,” he added.

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