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| UAD National Convener; Jaiye Gaskia(Hand Raised) At A News Conference |
Introduction:
The United action for Democracy, UAD held an extraordinary
and expanded session of its National Coordinating Council meeting between
March 2nd and 3rd, 2012 at the Women Development Centre in Lagos State to
reflect on the January uprising and the state of the nation, towards
consolidating on the gains won by the popular masses such as;
a.Increased popular awareness of the extent and depth of corruption,
impunity and poor governance that pervade the management of the Nigerian
economy, especially the oil sector.
b.Heightened National consciousness as Nigerians rose and marched together
demanding fundamental social change, while all artificial edifice of social,
religious and cultural divides collapsed.
Delegates from old and new affiliates and solidarity
organizations discussed extensively on the current situation in the country and
the unfolding possibilities for building and holding popular power and resolved
thus:
1.The January uprising was a popular upheaval of the poor and suffering
Nigerian against the dire and worsening state of poverty, corruption and
impunity in high places and disillusionment with the ruling elite in Nigeria
which was ignited by the hike in fuel price.
2.The NCC in session commends the dedicated and tireless struggle of the
masses during the uprising and considers the trade union suspension of the
general strike at its peak as being rather unfortunate. UAD however notes that
while the outcome was a partial victory because of the betrayal, Nigerian
people all the same were victorious, because we dared to struggle.
3.The NCC in session was of the view that the UAD intensified mass
mobilization along with other progressive social forces since the 8th UAD
convention in Benin City in August 2011 was useful for forging solidarity of
the masses across the length and breadth of Nigeria, towards the mobilising
for, organising and coordinating the uprising.
Realizing that the Nigerian State is still committed to
further hiking the price of petrol by April 2012 (according to PPPRA, the
expected market opening price for petrol as at end of Februay is 165 Naira),
the UAD shall henceforth commence intensive mobilization in preparation for
mass revolutionary action against this and other anti people policy and for
system change.
4. The NCC in session analyzed the attempt by the Federal Government
through some of its officials such as Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the Minister of
Finance to incorporate segments of civil society into some ‘consensus’
supposedly reflecting ‘consultations’ by mid March on the intent of the state
to further hike the price of petrol. UAD considers this as dishonest and as
efforts to hoodwink Nigerians since the Federal Government has made it
clear that it is still bent on confronting the Nigerian people. The NCC
in session thus resolved that the UAD and its officials will not be part of
such ‘negotiations’. We insist that petrol price be reversed to N65 per litre.
5.The NCC in session note the fact that revelations by the
Federal House of Representatives on ‘Subsidy Regime Management’ confirm the
position of UAD and the mass of Nigerians that it was the corrupt enrichment of
a minority and not the affordability of fuel for the vast majority of Nigerians
that was being subsidized. UAD however can perceive a pattern similar to the
probe of the power sector which revealed massive corruption without any actions
being taken. UAD thus calls for the prosecution of all individuals and
corporate bodies found to have been the beneficiaries of the supposed
‘subsidy’. Further, we call we call for the immediate resignation or sacking of
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala: Minister of Finance, Diezani Allison- Madueke:
Minister of Petroleum, and Labaran Maku: the Minister of Information for their
demonstrated culpability by acts of omission or commission in the fuel subsidy,
the anti people hike in the price of petrol and the conscious promotion of lies
to cover up the truth.
6.The NCC in session viewed the President Goodluck Jonathan scrapping of
the hastily conceived SURE programme as yet another demonstration of the
bad faith and utter disdain of the Nigerian people by this regime in
particular, and the ruling political elite in general. Considering the facts
that monies accrued from January with the increase of N32 per litre over the
amount appropriated in the 2011
budget that will not lapse until March 31st 2012; with the revelations of
mismanagement of ‘subsidy’ funds; Nigerians cannot but be suspicious of how the
funds generated from January are being spent. UAD thus calls for
full disclosure on the matter to the Nigerian people.
7.Further, the NCC in session considered the upsurge of Boko Haram and
sundry low intensity warfare in the country as being reflective of the
fundamental contradictions of the country’s socio economic system. While noting
the grouse of Nigerians against this system, UAD condemns acts of terror
in whatever guise (by individuals, groups or indeed the state) against Nigerian
citizens and call for the united action of Nigerians towards their self
emancipation.
8.The NCC in session categorically condemns the looming hike in
electricity tariff as being yet another anti people policy of the Nigerian
State. It is noteworthy that billions of dollars have ostensibly been spent to
improve the power supply but cannot be accounted for. Nigerian people must not
be made to bear the brunt of corruption in high places. Nigerians must rise up
in united action to stop this decay.
9.UAD calls on Nigerians to be ready for a new phase of the struggle for
our self emancipation from the corrupt, treasury looting, clueless and
directionless ruling elite. UAD further calls on Nigerians not to be deceived
by Town Hall Meetings and ‘consultations’ meant to merely legitimize the full
deregulation of the downstream sectors of the oil industry. We must be ready to
wage this struggle to its logical conclusion- the enthronement of popular and
mass democratic polity and socio-economic system.
Conclusion:
The NCC enjoined its growing base of affiliates (old, new
and aspiring) and state structures to consolidate on the expansion of networks
of the masses as unity of the down trodden is central to our victory. It calls
on affiliates to establish state coalitions or strengthen existing state
coalitions across the country, particularly in all the states and cities where
popular protests took place during the January Uprising.
It further realizes that the struggle of working people and
youths in Nigeria is part of the global resistance of the 99% against the 1% of
oppressors that has occassioned an era of global crisis. Our victory will be a
plank for the victory of oppressed people around the world.
Ken
Henshaw
Jaye Gaskia
General
Secretary
National Convener
