It is a moment of mourning for the labour movement in Nigeria. The left lost one of its most tenacious fighters and leaders with the death of Abiodun “Aremson” Aremu on 12 October. Socialist Workers League joined the wave of grief at this great loss. In a tribute signed by Jharmo Towolawi and Amara Nwosu, Chairperson and Secretary of the SWL respectively, we pointed out that Aremson was a friend of the League. And this we cherished immensely.
Kelvin Ayemhenre, a leading member of the SWL and National Secretary of the Workers’ Rights Campaign registered the League’s condolence in the official condolence register at Aremson’s home in Ota. SWL members will also actively participate in every activity being organised to pay last respects to Aremson in different parts of the country. Mourning Aremson must however entail a rededication to resistance. We thus raise our clenched fists in continued resistance.
Abiodun “Aremson” Aremu: SWL Tribute
The death of Comrade Abiodun “Aremson” Aremu is a big blow to the Nigerian left and working-class people. The Socialist Workers League (SWL) shares in this pain. For decades, Aremson was active in movements of resistance and struggle against the military dictatorship and the civilian face of capitalism in Nigeria. He was a leading anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist fighter who inspired generations of activists.
Aremson was a friend of the SWL. We have invited several leading figures on the Nigerian left to speak at our public programmes, including the public symposium we organise as part of our annual National Convention programmes. It is noteworthy that Aremson was the only one whom we invited on several occasions.
This is not surprising. Our cordial relationship with him extends for decades as a political tendency, even before our transformation to the SWL in 2011. We were one of the few organisations that were affiliates of the two coalitions of the left which Aremson provided leadership to over the last two decades i.e., the United Action for Democracy (UAD) and the Joint Action Front (JAF).
These have been tumultuous times for the working masses. We have faced waves of attacks. And against all odds, our class has stood up against the capitalist bosses and their state. In all those moments, Aremson would always be found at the barricades, providing leadership.
We will miss Aremson. Our heart goes out to his family. And we urge that his death ignites rededication to the quest for unity and unambiguous revolutionary struggle on the Nigerian left.
Sgd. Sgd.
Jamiu TOWOLAWI Amara NWOSU
National Chairperson National Secretary
