PENGASSAN’s strike is an insult to Nigeria at 65, a ploy to weaken Tinubu’s government – PTD

Stakeholders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have called on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to withdraw its directive halting crude oil and gas supply to Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The appeal followed an emergency meeting held on Sunday at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, after which the stakeholders issued a statement signed by Comrade Obi-Dede Wonder.

The PTD stakeholders described PENGASSAN’s planned strike as “insensitive and cruel,” particularly as it coincides with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary on October 1, 2025. They accused the union of attempting to embarrass President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, undermine the country’s reputation internationally, and cripple a major national economic asset.

The statement rejected PENGASSAN’s justification that the move was triggered by the alleged dismissal of 800 workers at the $20 billion Dangote Refinery. According to the PTD, such action would punish over 200 million Nigerians and destabilize the downstream sector.

Dangote Refinery had earlier clarified that it only carried out an internal restructuring to enhance efficiency, while maintaining that most of its workforce remained Nigerians.

The PTD stakeholders warned that acts of sabotage against national interests must attract arrest and prosecution, stressing that unions must pursue grievances through dialogue, mediation, and legal channels rather than strikes that threaten national energy security.

They further urged President Tinubu, in his capacity as Minister of Petroleum Resources, to direct security agencies and the Ministry of Labour to intervene immediately to avert disruption and preserve industrial harmony.