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MINUTES OF THE SOCIALISTS PARTY OF NIGERIA(SPN) MEETING WHICH WAS HELD ON THE 1ST OF JUNE 2013 AT ERA SECRETARIAT, USELU BENIN CITY 1. Opening

The meeting started at 11 am with the presentation of the agenda by the Chairman. The items in the agenda were considered and adopted for deliberations. 1.1. The agenda

1.2.

Apologies

Apologies were tendered for ten members who could not attend the meeting for one reason or the other. 1.3. Chairmans Welcome Address

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting and reminded them of the task ahead. Among other things, he stressed the need to recapture lost popular fronts and organizations and the importance of commitment and unity of the Left. 2. Reading of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and some amendments and corrections made as follows: I t was observed that the agenda of the previous meeting was not included. It was advised that the agenda be included always. Item 5, which was put as Reading of the Meeting of was corrected as Reading of the Minutes of On page 2, ant, a typographical mistake, was corrected to and. Thereafter, a motion was moved for its adoption and it was seconded. The minutes were then unanimously adopted. 2.1. Matters Arising

The issue of the solidarity message and invitation from DSM was discussed. Members who were mandated to reach out to the group briefed the house, revealing that an effort was made to meet with the group, but unfortunately, they were not comfortable with the venue scheduled for what was to be the first meeting. Members mandated also revealed that they put the meeting on hold because they felt that they should establish a viable branch in Lagos before meeting the group. It

was however argued that the mandate given the members to meet them did not include the condition or intention to establish a viable branch before meeting with them. 2.2 2.2.1 Report from Committees Constitution Drafting Committee

The House was briefed that a member sent some relevant suggestions to be incorporated in the constitution after it has been adopted. It was suggested that paragraph one of the suggestion be used as part of the Partys programme in view of the fact that once a constitution has been adopted, a formal procedure is required to amend it. It was also pointed out by some members that some of the issues raised in the suggestions have been encapsulated in the Constitution, though in different terms. 2.1.2 Finance Committee

The house was duly briefed and more members were added to the Committee. Members were advised to pay up the ten thousand naira (N10,000) each for the on-going conference. Some members were mandated to facilitate the opening of a bank account for SPN and two other members were appointed to strengthen the Finance Committee. There were arguments about the calibrations of dues and levies. However, the committee was mandated to meet and look into the objective realities on the ground and then propose realistic or feasible dues and levies to the House. 2.1.3 Publicity and Education Committees

The Chair revealed that as a result of the ill health of the Publicity Committee Chairman, which has prevented him from being active and performing as he used to be, another senior member was recommended and approved to start function as Publicity Chairman with immediate effect. On education, it was suggested that education generally should be in three ways: education for regular old members (internal education), education for new cadres and intake and education for the general public. It was agreed that Education Committee be enlarged to work out a good programme for education. 2.1.4 Report on Eskor Toyo and Deceased Members

It was reported that ASUU with some well-meaning members see to Eskors well being. The death of Charles Okoli, Akpors, Napoleon Ithuku and Osayi were also reported. A medical member in the House admonished members to pay attention to issues of health and go for check up regularly to avoid or manage hazards and abnormalities that could cause tragedies. 2.1.5 Contact-Mobilization, Legal, Strategic and Welfare Committees

These were to be enlarged and invigourated with more members some of whose names were mentioned. Lawyers or learned members are members.

2.2.

Registration of SPN

A member made the requirements for registration available as the matter was being discussed. Learned members were mandated to execute the processes of registration without delay. 3. 3.1 Business of the Day Reports from State Branches

Lagos reported that members of the branch were making efforts to establish a functional branch. Some of the branch member had met on 25th April, 2013. However, EXCO was yet to be constituted. SPN bulletins were translated to Yoruba and distributed. Oyo is on the ground and has indicated interest in hosting a meeting and financing logistics. Ekiti has challenges because cadres have drifted, but efforts are being made to revive the branch. Ebonyi meets once in a month with at least 50 members. Imo State met once since September 2012. Although Delta State has some solid members, it was reported that there was a disconnection among them. However, there is a functional Delta Democratic Progressives which some members operate with. Osun State could not present a clear report, but members speculated that given the calibre of members in Osun State, some levels of activities and mobilization might be in progressive, which they were not very sure of and so would go back to ascertain. Edo reported that her members are fully on the ground. Active meetings of core members are regular and the branch is in touch with popular fronts and other organizations in the state, such as Conference of NGOs (CONGO), NLC, TUC, etc. Edo branch has also taken the initiative to reclaim the students body of University of Benin. A group named The Liberated Minds has been formed and student members meet on Sundays at 3.pm. Attendance fluctuates between a minimum of twenty and one hundred students at present. Efforts are being made to increase membership and attendance. Qualitative reports from branches based on a scheme designed for that purpose was suggested. Peer review of States performances was equally suggested, that is that people could be sent from time to time to review the activities of state branches and report to the House. Government teachers and students of secondary schools should be contacted and mobilized to reach the young ones. Individuals should not just come to meeting on their own but as state representatives, committee and group members. 4. State of Nation

The state of the nation was x-rayed and it was presented that the ruling class is in disarray, but the oppressed people have not been able to organize and utilize the objective condition. Several groups of the ruling classes have emerged presenting themselves as alternatives. Youth unemployment is more than 60% although UN puts it at 10%. Inflation runs at more than 20%, and these have implications for wages and living standard. Insecurity is spreading wild, as ethnic and religious relations have become fractured. Trade unions and other organizations have been weakened. There is increased borrowing and reckless spending. Meanwhile, the price of oil at the international market has plummeted. These portend grave danger for the country. Against

this backdrop, SPN was urged to construct a genuine political alternative. The task ahead is to organize various forces to collapse the rotting system. Only SPN has that capacity. 5. AOB

A number of issues and suggestions were discussed during AOB. Attention was drawn to the rising wave of religious violence which is being fuelled by imperialist agents to weaken popular resistance and provide them reasons to infiltrate and further weaken organized resistance. Internal education was proposed for 30 minutes during meetings. 6. Summary of Decisions and Proposals

The following decisions were reached: i. It was agreed that the mandate given to some members of the Lagos branch to reach out to DSM stand: They are to meet with the group whether or not a viable branch has been established in Lagos. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. An account should be opened for SPN. Two learned members were mandated to facilitate the opening. The Finance Committee should review dues and levies for members and present realistic rates to the House. Education Committee should be enlarged to work out educational programme for the Party. The processes of registration should be expedited. Learned members are to facilitate the registration of the Party. A clearly articulated scheme should be adopted or designed by the secretariat and distributed to branches for presenting reports from branches. Peer review of activities for state branch activities should adopted. SPN next bulletin should be on the state of the nation, particularly on the mid-term report by the President and Finance Minister. There should be a thirty-minute education session during meetings.

7.

Adjournment

The meeting rose at 4.30 p.m. after a motion for adjournment appropriately moved and seconded.