Comrade Baba Aye, a veteran trade expert and activist, has expressed his views on the 66th independence anniversary of Nigeria. As Co-Convener of the Coalition for Revolution (CORE) and a Council Member of Progressive International (PI), Baba Aye believes that the working masses have little to celebrate. He notes that while the exit of colonial rulers in 1960 was a historic moment, it did not bring about the liberation that the masses had hoped for.
According to Baba Aye, the local capitalists who took over after independence have only served to exploit and oppress the working masses. He argues that there are two nations in every nation: the nation of the exploited and oppressed, and the nation of the oppressive exploiters. For the ruling class, Baba Aye says there is every reason to celebrate, but for the working masses, there is only sorrow, tears, and blood.
Baba Aye has been an activist for over four decades, and he has seen significant changes in the social life of Nigerians. He notes that while technological advances have enabled broader conversations in real-time, they have also contributed to the atomization of society. Baba Aye believes that each generation has its own challenges and that the current generation must discover its mission and fulfill it.
The activist also reflected on the different phases of activism in Nigeria from the pre-independence era to the present day. He notes that the radical Left was centered in the trade union movement in the 1960s and 1970s, but that this movement declined after the Civil War. Baba Aye argues that the 1990s saw the radical Left have the greatest direct influence on mass politics, but that this influence was not sustained.
Baba Aye also spoke about the role of activists in government, saying that the problem with governance is not primarily one of the government, but of the system, which is inherently exploitative and oppressive. He argues that activists who enter government with the naivety that they can make a difference are often those who lack serious theoretical grounding in their politics.
Despite the challenges, Baba Aye notes that the 21st century has seen significant mass revolts, such as #OccupyNigeria, #EndSARS, and #EndBadGovernance. He also highlights the rise of the African Action Congress (AAC), which he believes is the most significant nationwide revolutionary Left political party in Nigerian history.
In conclusion, Baba Aye's reflections on the 66th independence anniversary serve as a reminder of the challenges that Nigeria still faces. He argues that the working masses have little to celebrate, but that there is still hope for a better future. Baba Aye's comments are a call to action for Nigerians to continue to strive for a more just and equitable society.
Key points
- Baba Aye says Nigerians have little to cheer about as the country marks its 66th independence anniversary.
- The activist argues that the system of governance is inherently exploitative and oppressive.
- Baba Aye highlights the rise of the African Action Congress (AAC) as a significant development in Nigerian politics.
