₦airaland Forum

Ndume to Tinubu: I don't mind if you act like a dictator — dissolve PENGASSAN if it won’t serve national interest

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, says President Bola Tinubu should dissolve the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) if the union continues to “serve private interests” rather than the public good.

On Saturday, the PENGASSAN instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike immediately over Dangote refinery’s dismissal of “over 800 workers”.

The Dangote refinery said the industrial action embarked upon by the union was aimed at weaponising hardship against Nigerians.

Commenting on the development while appearing on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, on Monday, Ndume said he has long opposed “so-called unionism” that prioritises the benefits of a few individuals at the expense of the country.

“This PENGASSAN is supposed to serve the interest of Nigerians, and their profession has to do with petroleum product that affects everything,” the lawmaker said.

“This is Nigeria, which is supposed to be a free country. You can’t force someone to be in the union.”

The senator criticised the union for attempting to “impose demands” on the Dangote refinery.

“Dangote is a private businessman who established a refinery. 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.

Ndume accused PENGASSAN of holding Nigerians “by the neck,” saying the workers do not own the oil or gas resources.

The senator questioned the union’s silence during critical moments in the oil sector.

“They are just workers. How can they be asking for more than the owners?” he asked.

“Where were they when the subsidy was removed and the fuel price rose to N1000? Where were they when the refineries stopped working and we were depending on imports?”.

He urged Tinubu to take firm action and dissolve the union.

“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.

https://www.thecable.ng/ndume-to-tinubu-i-dont-mind-if-you-act-like-a-dictator-dissolve-pengassan-if-it-wont-serve-national-interest/

Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have become enemy of Nigeria.

They want to destroy Dangote refinery same way they destroyed the NNPC refineries

That's has always been apc way of governance. By hook, by crook, by propaganda, by snatching, by grabbing and by destroying.
Nothing new.

Right Please spell words correctly when you post, and try to use perfect grammar and punctuation.
22. Don't ask Nairaland members for contact det

Because dangote is a northerner abi?

If it's a southerner that owns dangote, will he say this

So that means they should allow Dangote to treat Nigeria workers the way he wants because he built the refinery as a private owner. Whether private or government they must be guided by the law of the land regarding engaging and disengaging workers. Apart from what Dangote is doing many workers are suffering in the hands of many employers without protection. Many a time people will work and employers will find reason not to pay you and to sack you. Some employers have become so notorious about such a behaviour. They were a time that my brother worked for a lady. Time to pay him she told him if she gave him employment letter.
You can easily take sides in this matter but since you are not working in that refinery you will be standing with Dangote but those who are working and suffering there will say otherwise.
Someone said did they force them to work. Sometimes I wonder how people reason.
Don't be childish in thinking.

PENGASSAN and it's affiliate have successfully wrecked and grounded the 4 Nigerian refineries and is looking for Dangote's refinery to wreck and ground so that they will keep on holding Nigerians at bay because of their selfish interests and to keep feeding fat from Nigerians.

Pengassan went too far! Nigeria needs to review her laws concerning all unions.

Those folks don't use their common sense when taking certain actions.

Long overdue! They are only doing things not for the masses, but for their selfish interest.

Why will he dissolve the union? See you guys should tell Dangote to obey our labour laws. The man is not bigger than Nigeria. If not for corrupt Emefiele that gave him a whopping $20billion for the refinery, which sane CBN governor will do that

"I don't care..."

That statement itself disqualifies any sense the subsequent statement can possibly make.

LagosOrigin:
Because dangote is a northerner abi?

If it's a southerner that owns dangote, will he say this

You have said the most sensible thing. This is the monopolistic tendencies of people from this region.

They want to use a low appreciated grab president to uplift a Northerner to have maximum control of resources not available in their region even if it is achieved through dictatorship.

Imagine if the refinery was built with loans by someone not from the North

Hmm. Ndume is a voice of the rich northern cabals that are fronting Dangote. He is also very unstable.

Tinubu needs to be careful with him. We have trade union act within the constitution.

How can one single individual acquire 4,000 brand new trucks in this same Nigeria. I saw them with my eyes last two weeks.

Not Benz o, not brand new cars. When majority Nigerians cannot afford a brand new car currently.

I learnt his ultimate plan is to purchase 10,000 for fuel distribution. The Union saw what is coming.

This is just one of Dangote's several companies. So how mighty is this man? Don't tell me these funds came from just bank loans and business proceeds. Haba.

Some people that doesn’t know what it takes to register a business name will be calling dangote out,out of despiration you sign employment letter that you won’t join union but after they employ you then you start activities…

I support this motion … it is not by force to work under dangote you can tell Tinubu doesnt want things to escalate to that

How will he dissolve them when he loves what they do ..let's stop playing e

Hahahaha

As their activities affect the pride of the north, why would you care if he acts like a dictator

This level of hypo is so huuuge. Even though I support whatever the president does to clip the wings of these unions for eternity!

Basicend:
Hmm. Ndume is a voice of the northern pillars that are fronting Dangote.

What is wrong with fronting for Dangote ? Fule importers are ruining your life and want to continue doing so but you think Dangote is the problem

There's is no freedom of dissociation from unions in Nigeria. Even students union in schools. It's very painful.

Pengassan is only a symptom.The real sickness is deeper and must be rooted up completely. Even unions like pepper sellers and bike riders and quarry workers are cults.

We must learn to identify systemic problems and treat them as such instead of giving them topical solutions, If we want true development and not just growth.

U have not told him to act like a dictator against terrorists. These people are just so tribalistic

It is a shame to see people support PENGASSAN yet we yearn for change.

That selfish association is one of the several reasons Nigeria is the way it is currently.

Dissolve the self serving union now.

LagosOrigin:
Because dangote is a northerner abi?

If it's a southerner that owns dangote, will he say this

Everything is tribal to you guys. Why must SE always want bad thing to happen to Nigeria

We will not allow PENGASSAN to destroy Dangote refinery just the way they destroyed NNPC refineries

Senator Ndume is saying this because the person affected is a Northerner.

“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.


Tinubu is already a dictator; he doesn't need to act like one

Disbanding PENGASSAN is not only illegal but surely not the way forward. I think there are better ways to resolve the issue than resorting to dictatorial self help.

The president should thread with caution.
Dangote is a business man with only his interest at heart while pengasan too are fighting for their survival but it's an act against the public interest.

Either way, I support truce as the first cause of action, if it can't be reached, let the president use force.

Well,... Unionism is very key to protect workers interests...
At the other end, Unions must know there is a thin line between legitimate agitation and when it turns to an act of terrorism.

When you begin to target assets of either Government or Private institutions, that are central to the economy of a State...you are a terrorist.

This is where I believe PENGASSAN have taken it too far..
What happens to pressing charges against Dangote, on behalf of your members at the Industrial Court This would have been a more appropriate way to go about it.

But, cutting gas supplies, shutting most of our oil and gas sectors in the name of pressuring a private investor na nonsense....pure economic sabotage and should not be allowed to stand

LagosOrigin:
Because dangote is a northerner abi?

If it's a southerner that owns dangote, will he say this

Do you think Dangote own 100% of the investments , everything must navigate towards tribal sentiment. You will be amaze how many southerners are partners in the refinery. In your little mind, you think Yorubas don't have a great stake in the investment?
Is Dangote the first refinery in 9ja? The refinery in Edo have being working for more than 10 yrs now and the union haven't had issues with them. Basically because they didn't see a proper channel to steal from ,since only diesel is being produced in such refinery.

I don't think that's the best idea. There should be a new labor law and a framework should be put in place.

Kastonkastroll:
Why will he dissolve the union? See you guys should tell Dangote to obey our labour laws. The man is not bigger than Nigeria. If not for corrupt Emefiele that gave him a whopping $20billion for the refinery, which sane CBN governor will do that

No let be abuse you this morning. Nah emefiele or buhari give am $20B. That money was not even fully contributed as NNPC did not meet their complete allocation.