By DAYO ADESULU
Abuja — Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene decisively in the standoff between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), suggesting that the president issue an executive order to resolve the crisis.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume said extraordinary measures were necessary to safeguard national interests amid the industrial action triggered by the alleged dismissal of 800 refinery workers.
“The best thing is for the president to sign an executive order calling them off. He has the right to dissolve them. In this case, I don’t mind if he acts like a dictator because some situations require very drastic measures,” Ndume said.
On Saturday, PENGASSAN ordered its members nationwide to down tools, accusing Dangote Refinery of unlawfully sacking workers who had joined the association. The union described the move as a violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and international conventions on workers’ rights.
Ndume, however, faulted the union’s action, claiming it was serving private rather than public interests.
“I have long opposed so-called unionism that prioritises the benefits of a few individuals at the expense of the country,” he argued.
The senator also broadened his criticism to corruption and Nigeria’s culture of celebrating questionable wealth.
“In this country, unexplained wealth is being celebrated. Questionable wealth is being celebrated, and that affects our total resources,” he lamented.
Ndume recalled that in the past, political leaders were held accountable and sometimes imprisoned for failing to justify their finances, but said corruption now appeared normalised.
“Today, corruption has been legitimised. People don’t think about it. They are even celebrated after being declared as criminals and jailed,” he added.
The standoff between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery has already disrupted operations across key oil and gas agencies, sparking fears of fuel shortages and economic fallout. An emergency meeting convened by the Labour Ministry is expected to attempt mediation this week.
