The Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) if the union continues to pursue “private interests” instead of the national good.
His remarks followed PENGASSAN’s directive to its members to begin a nationwide strike over Dangote Refinery’s dismissal of more than 800 workers. The refinery accused the union of weaponising hardship against Nigerians.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume said he has consistently opposed “so-called unionism” that prioritises a few individuals. He argued that PENGASSAN’s role should be to protect Nigerians’ interests, stressing that membership in a union cannot be forced.
Ndume criticised the association for trying to impose demands on Aliko Dangote’s privately-owned refinery. “Dangote is a businessman. You can’t come and impose anything on a private individual. If you want to be a union, then stay out of Dangote,” he said.
The senator accused PENGASSAN of “holding Nigerians by the neck,” insisting workers do not own the country’s oil and gas resources. He also questioned the union’s silence during critical periods in the energy sector, such as fuel subsidy removal and refinery shutdowns.
Ndume urged Tinubu to act decisively. “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,” he said.
