The regime headed by Olusegun Obasanjo in Nigeria prides itself at
being "democratic". Recently it was involved in passing judgement on
the electoral process in Zimbabwe. But behind the democratic façade
hides the same old despotic regime of the military that governed
Nigeria for many years in the past. At the University of Ilorin, a
leading student activist, Tosin Akinrogunde, has been expelled for
protesting against the sacking of teachers who were involved in a
strike in 2001. During his long history of student union activity he
has been expelled several times, and in 1999 was also arrested and
imprisoned for five weeks. This case will go to court and will incur
legal costs, so we appeal for donations.
This is another editorial from the Workers' Alternative,
written at the time of the transition from the previous military
dictatorship to the present civilian regime. At that time there were
many illusions in so-called "democracy", as people hoped it would
rectify the dire economic situation. We are republishing it now, as we
believe it is as relevant now as when it was first published. (June,
1999)