By Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo fcia fimpa JP
“The unity of the bourgeoisie can be shaken only by the unity of the proletariat “
- Karl Marx
The history of class struggle is as old as the world itself, date back to the year 1789, shortly after French Revolution which ignited class struggle, just like the view of Karl Marx who submitted that “the history of all hitherto existing human society is the history of class struggle itself.”
There is no way the issue of class struggle will be a subject of discussion without beaming our search light to Max Weber, a very strong personality in the the field of sociology, like Karl Marx, Max Weber posited a multidimensional approach to social stratification that espouse reflection of interplay among wealth, prestige and power.
Weber had argued that power can take a variety of forms. A person’s power can be shown in the social order through their status, in the economic order through their class, and in the political order through their party. Thus, class, status and party are intertwined in the distribution of power within a community or society.
Class, status and power have not only a great deal of effect within their individual areas but also a great deal of influence over the other areas.
Wealth: includes property such as buildings, lands, farms, houses, factories and as well as other assets.
Prestige: the respect with which a person or status position is regarded by others .
Power: the ability of people or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition _from others .
According to Weber, there are two basic dimensions of power: the possession of power and the exercising of power.
It is in realisation of the submissions of these two great thinkers that the present class struggle in contemporary Nigeria is a serious call for concern of all and sundries, the economic dimensions that Nigeria is going through requires a very concerted and well thought out ex-ray in order to arrest the drift.
There is no doubting the fact that the society is divided along class line because different social researches have established this contentious phenomenon, these have equally been affirmed by Karl Marx findings which state that.
In any society there were two types of people: the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. The proletariat consists of the working, Labour Class. The bourgeoisie can be regarded as the idle or management, class. In Karl Marx’s theory of class conflict, he provided very clear definitions for these two classes. To understand Marx’s stance in social history, we need to look at the two groups he believed that made up every society.
The proletariat produces and the bourgeoisie exploits the producers based on their ability to market and sell.
In an agrarian, or farming-based society, the proletariat are the farming families who work hard to grow crops or raise animals. The bourgeoisie are the people who pay the farmers a small and inadequate amount of money for their products and sell them at a much larger profit.
In an industrial society, or factory-based and machine-based society, the bourgeoisie owns the means of production (the factory) and exploits the proletariat by making them work for low wages in dangerous conditions.
Class Struggle
Karl Marx used words like ‘exploit’ when speaking of how the rich managed the poor. Although some people would disagree with his inflammatory take on the proletariat and bourgeoisie classes, he said that capitalistic societies were indeed based on this type of arrangement. Some people have money, either through an inheritance or other means by which they gained wealth, whereas other people are destined to remain oppressed. But Marx wasn’t concerned with individual stories of this. He saw this as a societal issue.
Karl Marx foresaw workers’ revolution,on account that, as the bourgeoisie grew richer, the proletariats would develop a sense of shared identity considering their similar experience of exploitation. They would then rise up in a global revolution and own the means of production, turning the world into a communist (Heller, 1987). No one would then control access to wealth as everything would be owned equally by everyone. Marx’s vision did not, however, become a reality. With increased modernization, the proletariats became more educated and acquired specific job skills that enabled them to achieve financial well-being. Instead of increased exploitation, they joined unions and were protected by Labour laws. Trade unionist and skilled factory workers started earning salaries that were equivalent or higher than their middle-class counterparts.
The political scene in Nigeria has brought to fore that members of the electorates want to maintain a certain status quo, Where the division began is open to debate and other shifts in public thinking which demonstrated a clear divide within the country. While there are those in the country who think of this as a new phenomenon, people have been writing about and acting on political and class division, or the financial divide that exists between those who make different amounts of money, for centuries.
The current political divide within both the major parties and political pundits can be seen as a conflict between the haves and the have-nots. One group considers itself disenfranchised by the political establishment, while the establishment tries to win votes by reminding potential voters what it has accomplished in the past. Karl Marx, the prominent philosopher who is credited with creating communism, saw this kind of conflict (disenfranchised versus establishment) as a class struggle. His ideas had to do with economics, but those ideas ultimately had just as much to do with politics.
Trade Unions and Organised Labour as third force
It is very expedient to commend the activities of Trade Unions and Organised Labour in Nigeria especially Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)that has been so consistent in the agitations for better living conditions for workers and Nigeria masses and its counterpart Trade Union Congress (TUC)
It is on record that the fifteen ( 15 )items memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Federal Government, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday 2nd day of October 2023 was another watershed in the history of Labour struggle in Nigeria , after withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government .
The agreement gave a sealed deal of assurance that ” a minimum wage committee shall be inaugurated within one month from the date of the agreement” which has given workers the hope that not less than (N200,000 ) Two
Hundred Thousand Naira Minimum Wage will be the target for workers.
The assurance of Minimum Wage payment was also given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his New year Presidential address to the nation.
What is class conflict?
Class conflict is the struggle over dictating the terms of organized Labour and the exchange of goods. The class (or classes) that gain the upper hand in this conflict can live more comfortable, more autonomous lives. Those who are losing this struggle find themselves more under the control of others and more impoverished. In an industrial society, most people are members of the proletariat who have to work in order to pay for their necessities (food, housing, etc.). The bourgeoisie are those who own sufficient stocks in companies so they do not need to work.
This is not to be confused with managers who work by overseeing others; managers, even high-level managers, are still members of the proletariat. In an agrarian society, farmers who work for their wages are members of the proletariat. In a feudal society, however, farmers were often peasants, who did not Labour for wages. Peasants were characterized as chattel property who belonged to their lord, who in turn had sworn fealty to a monarch. Thus, the earlier, feudal epoch was characterized by different labouring relationships
Antithetical forces against just and egalitarian society
Over the years, the agitation for a better society has been met with strong resistance from the ruling class, the activities of Late Gani Fawehinmi, Dr Beko Ransome Kuti, Barrister Femi Falana, Senator Shehu Sanni , Olisa Agbakoba, Late Comrade F. C. Ojeli, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu fought tirelessly to safeguard the lives of the less privileged and the fight created serious dichotomy in the society i.e a serious society divided between the concerned and unconcerned. The above mentioned personalities belonged to the “concerned” but were frustrated by the power that be.
The forces that have joined in preventing a just society include the activities of the following:
*The Nigeria police has never be on the side of the masses knowing fully well that they were supposed to provide security for the hapless Nigerians; the involvement of some of the officers in extra judicial killings, Human rights abuses and compromises in crimes, leave a bitter pill in the mouth of the masses.
The activities of other security operatives are also impediments in the realisation of a just society.
Others include;
*The judiciary,
*Electoral umpire ( I.e INEC)
*The people who are entrusted with Public Office
*The masses who always act as mole and consequently sell the strength of their fellow compatriots.
*The political parties that betrayed the trust given to them by electorates
- Inter and Intra mistrust and distrust among different classes in the society
*EFCC and lCPC are expected to carry out their statutory duties without sentiments and compromises
To achieve successes and build trust, all these forces must chart a new programme of action and policy guide that will ensure objective policy implementation and collaborative partnership to uplift humanity and fight common enemies: which are crimes and activities of banditries
Insecurity, Corruption and the hapless Nigerians
The tide of Class struggle is further blowing fiercely because of deep rooted corruption in the society, the privileged few, see themselves as more favoured than others hence, they are using their positions to amass more wealth to themselves while the vulnerable are left with crumbs just like what happened during the last festive periods.
The ruling class see the problem of the less privileged as mere food nothing more, hence, distribution of palliatives; rice, indomie, vegetable oil and meagre cash gift and political class and leaders went home with billions of Naira.
It is against this background that Bishop Hassan Kukah urged President Bola Tinubu to address the fundamental issues of corruption and insecurity, asserting that mere palliatives won’t remedy Nigeria’s deep-seated problems.
The Bishop highlighted the pervasive culture of corruption as the root cause of the nation’s challenges, emphasizing,“The problems of Nigeria are deep-seated and are based on a culture of corruption that has become the foundation stone of governance.”
Kukah emphasized the need for evidence that the citizens can see and touch, expressing the collective weariness of promises and stories. He directed his attention to the state of the public Service, urging Tinubu to purge it of individuals who have turned Public Service into an ignoble enterprise.
The cleric conveyed the sentiments of Nigerians, stating, “You must rid the Political office holders in the Public Service of criminals who have turned the opportunity to serve into an ignoble enterprise. We concede that there are millions of decent men and women who genuinely wish to serve but are crushed by the deadweight of corrupt ogas at the top who use corruption as their oxygen!
This surgery must happen if you are to succeed in any of your dreams of delivering much-needed services to our people.”
Kukah did not shy away from addressing the grim reality of senseless killings and abductions across the nation.
He passionately appealed to President Tinubu to take decisive measures to halt the bloodshed and restore the sanctity of life.
As the nation grapples with these pressing issues, the eyes of the Public are on President Tinubu, waiting to witness concrete actions that go beyond temporary measures and palliatives.
The challenges outlined by Bishop Kukah underscore the urgency for a comprehensive and sustained effort to address the core issues affecting the nation’s well-being.
Corruption has become generic and endemic infecting many of our political leaders who have lost their integrity and conscience in the process. Many public figures have been consumed with this phenomenal issue of corruption
How to make Nigeria prosperous
Nigerians are tired of rhetorics and repeated assurances of better living conditions and economic prosperity which cannot be guaranteed by ineffective cash transfer and phyric rice and indomie palliative which are not sustainable.
To this end, the expected changes in Nigeria in order to make life meaningful to the citizenry include but not limited to the underlisted:
economic growth and development . As a direct result of government policies and investments in infrastructure, education, and other key areas, Nigeria can become a more attractive destination for business and investment. This will lead to the creation of new jobs and opportunities, and it will help to reduce poverty and inequality.
In addition to economic growth, we could record significant improvements in the quality of life for many Nigerians. Unhindered access to healthcare, education, and other public services will be greatly expanded, and people will have more opportunities to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Federal government should also have a renewed focus on protecting the environment and natural resources, which will help to ensure that future generations of Nigerians will be able to enjoy clean and healthy planet.
With trustworthy, focused and God fearing leadership , Nigeria is guaranteed to play a more prominent role on the global stage. As the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria should be a key player in regional and international affairs; a respected and valued partner in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria and the world.
Federal government should take a foremost step to secure the country. Providing security for life and properties which is essential for the well-being of the citizenry
As a large and populous country, Nigeria faces significant security challenges, and it is essential that the government and other stakeholders take action to address these challenges. When people feel safe and secure, they are more likely to trust and support one another, and to work together for the common good. This can help to promote social and political stability, and it can create a more harmonious and prosperous society. By taking action to address the security challenges facing the country, we can create a safer and more prosperous Nigeria for all.
Nigeria must focus on providing stable and well structured high-quality education to the people of Nigeria this will be very crucial to the country’s future success.
This means investing in schools, teachers, and educational materials, and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Also, school feeding programme with whooping fund in the 2024 budget should be discountenanced because it is a drain pipe programme that have no effect on school children.
Federal government should also focus and emphasise on supporting businesses. Small businesses that can serve as the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and they need the enabling favourable laws, financial intervention and support from government to grow and thrive. This can include providing access to credit, training and technical assistance, and creating a favourable business environment.
Nigeria infrastructural investment policy must be well structured and sustained. Developing the country’s infrastructure, including roads, ports, and other transportation systems, will be key to fostering economic growth and development. This will make it easier for people to access markets, and it will make Nigeria more attractive to investors.
The assurances given by the Federal Government that Port Harcourt Refinery will start working by the end of December 2023, although, it was test run but yet to be completed, it is a leeway and reassuring that something progressive will happen in the country , but not a hopeless hope like others in the past, this will ensure economic independence and enable government plan well without economic dictate from the super powers like World Bank, lMF among others.
Reducing corruption is also an important step since corruption is still a major impediment to Nigeria’s development, and must be addressed in order to create a fair and just society. This can be done through efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government, and by holding corrupt officials accountable for their actions with appropriate penalties against any Public Office holders found culpable.
Nigeria must devise and embrace technology to achieve long term policy design and vision
Technology will play a crucial role in Nigeria’s future, and the country must embrace it in order to stay competitive. This means investing in technology, training the workforce, and creating an environment that is conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Max Weber said that “things may come to those who wait,but only the things left by those who husle”
From the foregoing, achieving the vision of a thriving and dynamic Nigeria will require a concerted efforts by the government, the private sector, and civil society. By building strong partnership by working together and taking action, we can build a better future for Nigeria and its people where trust and brotherliness will be the watchword.
“Workers of the world unite;you have nothing to lose but your chains ” -Karl Marx
Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo, fcia fimpa JP , a Trade unionist and industrial relations practitioner
gbengaolowoyo3@gmail.com 08033570338
