Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has called on 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).
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume urged the president to issue an executive order to end the crisis sparked 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.
PENGASSAN had on Saturday directed its members nationwide to down tools, accusing Dangote Refinery of unlawfully sacking the workers for joining the union. The association described the move as a violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and international conventions on workers’ rights.
But Ndume faulted the union, claiming it was pursuing private rather than national interests. “I have long opposed so-called unionism that prioritises the benefits of a few individuals at the expense of the country,” he said.
The lawmaker also used the platform to criticise corruption and the celebration of ill-gotten wealth in Nigeria. “In this country, unexplained wealth is being celebrated. Questionable wealth is being celebrated, and that affects our total resources,” he lamented.
He added that public accountability had declined over time. “When we were growing up, political leaders were under scrutiny. People used to go to prison because they could not account for local taxes. But today, corruption has been legitimised, and people don’t think about it. They are even celebrated after being declared criminals and jailed,” Ndume said.
