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Adieu Yomexy, Dearest of Friends: A Tribute and Reflections

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In a few hours’ time, the body of Àbáyòmí Ilésanmí Àlùkò will lie in state at the Ilawe-Ekiti headquarters of the Ekiti South-West Local Government Area, his last duty post as a senior staff of the Ekiti Local Government Service Commission. Thereafter, my dearest friend’s remains will be committed to Mother Earth. He died on 12 October. It would be the second year in succession that I would lose a dear friend and comrade on that day. My birthday. Last year, we lost Abiodun Aremu “Aremson” that same day. Whilst a hit-and-run driver killed Aremu, the aftermath of a stroke he had suffered had a hand in that, with dulled reflexes. A stroke was also the precursor of Yomi’s death. Over the last week and a half, my mind has been a maelstrom of thoughts and feelings. Where do I start? How do I get to put some things into words? It’s very difficult to unpack a lot of what I would have to say. I have had quite a few great friends and wonderful comrades over the years. Not all comrades are fri...
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For Nigerian Masses, There’s Nothing To Cheer About 66th Independence Anniversary — Baba Aye*

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Comrade Baba Aye, a veteran trade expert and activist, is Co-Convener of the Coalition for Revolution (CORE) and a Council Member of Progressive International (PI). Baba Aye, former Deputy National Secretary, Labour Party (LP) and former National Convener, United Action for Democracy (UAD), during the June 12 struggle and a member of the National Implementation Committee of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), in this interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU , speaks on the 66th Independence anniversary from a socialist point of view. Excerpt: Nigerians are in the Independence anniversary week. Looking at the state of the nation, do you think the 66th Independence anniversary is worth celebrating? The exit of colonial rulers could not have but, been a welcome development in 1960. Even today, we cannot discountenance it as a historic moment, despite reservations we do have about its significance and rightly so. The working masses – workers, peasants, poor women and marginalised youths – who ralli...
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On violence and the Osun elections, ICPC, NASS and fake PFIPC, and AAC's 2027 elections campaign*

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Comrade Baba Aye, a veteran trade unionist and activist, is Co-Convener, Coalition for Revolution (CORE) and a Council Member, Progressive International (PI). Baba Aye, former Deputy National Secretary, Labour Party (LP) and former National Convener, United Action for Democracy (UAD) during the June 12 struggle and Member, National Implementation Committee of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), in this interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU, he speaks on the Osun political violence, travails of Omoyele Sowore, the current partisanship of the police and the judiciary, among other issues. Excerpt: Are you worried over the level of political violence in Osun State due to the August 15 governorship election in that state? The extent and virulence of the political violence rocking Osun State ahead of the August 15 elections is more than enough to worry any right-thinking person. It is a direct result of the winnertakes-all and do-or-die approach to politics that characterises the Nigerian ruling class...
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Sowore’s Arrest, the Injustice System in Nigeria and the Revolutionary Imperative

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The arrest of Omoyele Sowore on Monday, 22 June underscores the highhandedness of Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who had unjustly revoked Sowore’s bail a week earlier. But it also does more than that; it is yet another demonstration of the draconian nature of the Nigerian state. We are often told that the court is the last hope of the common wo/man. But, like all other apparatus of state, including the military, police, and prisons, it primarily serves the interests of the ruling class and is aimed at repressing any force that stands up against the power of our oppressors. This arrest like the earlier ones, is yet another dastardly attempt to repress Sowore and the revolutionary politics he stands for. And just like the plethora oof earlier arrests. It will not work. Putting the current arrest in perspective For the records this otherwise comical drama of repression needs to be put into proper context. The not-so-secret police in Nigeria otherwise legally...
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AAC and the 2027 Elections

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The 2027 general elections are around the corner. The elections will take place amidst the worst economic distress for working people in recent history. This is compounded by mounting insecurity and social crisis. Nonetheless, politicians have started warming up for campaign. Different sections of the ruling class are coming up as usual with empty promises. But now more than ever, the working masses, the marginalised youth, and oppressed people across the country need an alternative that challenges the systematic rottenness of social, economic, and political life. Issues shaping 2027 A recent poll by Business Day confirmed that, towards the 2027 elections, the topmost concerns of Nigerians are the economy and security. This is not at all surprising. While there has been economic growth since the Bola Tinubu administration of the APC regime came into power in 2023, the lives of poor working-class people have got worse. It is now more difficult for the vast majority of the population to ...
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