Former INEC chairman Attahiru Jega says staging a revolution may be desirable in Nigeria, noting that the nation is at the crossroads ahead of the 2023 general elections.

However, he pointed out that such a revolution would be unlikely to happen.

“A revolution may, indeed be desirable under the circumstances, but given the current realities, it is far-fetched.

Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters’ publisher, was arrested and detained for calling for a “revolution.” He is currently facing criminal charges in court.

But Mr Jega asserted that “broader patriotic and emancipatory struggles for good democratic governance may under the circumstances, help rescue the country and reposition it.”

“It’s time to wake up, rise and join hands in solidarity for struggles and active engagement in the political process towards, national emancipation from a devilish alliance of exploiters,” the ex-INEC boss pointed out. “It’s time to broadly engage with and struggle for wider socio-political and economic issues, which affect all citizens,” he said. 

According to him, this will create a better environment for protecting, advancing, and defending the overall interest of the working people.

“That is towards the satisfaction of the fundamental needs and aspirations of all citizens, and improving the scope and space for working peoples,’’ he stressed.

Mr Jega further explained that in view of the general elections, it was time to effectively mobilise, consciencetise and involve Nigerian workers in broader political engagements “towards using the electoral process to improve the leadership recruitment processes.”

“This is, to elect good and popular representatives in governance, and by so doing, catalyse good democratic governance would certainly be in the overall, long-term interest of the Nigerian working people,” he further noted.

He called on Nigerian workers, trade unions, and others to work together with credible “patriots” in professional associations to  bring about remarkable improvement in politics and governance.

He made these assertions at the 2022 Workers Political Conference on Wednesday in Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The theme of the conference was ‘Commitment to National Emancipation and Development through Effective Political Engagement by Workers’.

(NAN)