I Don’t Mind If You Act Like A Dictator — Dissolve PENGASSAN If It Won’t Serve National Interest — Ndume To Tinubu

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider dissolving the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) if the union fails to align its operations with the national interest.

The senator’s remarks followed a directive by PENGASSAN on Saturday, asking its members to initiate a nationwide strike. The strike action was in response to the dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote refinery. In reaction, the refinery accused the union of using industrial action to intensify economic hardship for Nigerians.

Speaking during an appearance on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television on Monday, Ndume criticised what he described as a recurring pattern of “so-called unionism” serving individual interests rather than the collective welfare of Nigerians.

He emphasized that PENGASSAN, as a professional body connected to petroleum products, holds a significant responsibility to protect public interest. He added that Nigerians should not be coerced into union membership, particularly when such unions disrupt essential services.

Ndume condemned the union’s attempt to pressure the privately-owned Dangote refinery into meeting demands, stating that PENGASSAN has no authority to impose conditions on a private business owner. He argued that if the union seeks to operate independently, it should not interfere with Dangote’s operations.

He further accused PENGASSAN of restricting Nigerians’ access to vital energy resources, asserting that the workers do not own the country’s oil and gas assets. Ndume questioned the union’s absence during pivotal periods in the energy sector, including fuel subsidy removal and the collapse of government-owned refineries.

The senator asked why the union remained silent when fuel prices escalated to N1,000 per litre and when local refineries ceased operations, forcing the country to rely heavily on fuel imports.

Calling for decisive executive action, Ndume suggested that the president could issue an executive order to disband the union. He stated that, if necessary, Tinubu should adopt a firm stance—even if it meant acting like a dictator—given the gravity of the situation and its implications for national stability.