In order to settle the continuing conflict between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South has urged President Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume stated that he would not object if the president took authoritarian measures to put a stop to the turmoil brought on by the purported firing of 800 refinery workers.
“It would be ideal if the president issued an executive order cancelling them. He’s allowed to dissolve them. Since some circumstances call for extremely drastic measures, I don’t mind if he acts like a tyrant in this instance,” he remarked.
PENGASSAN ordered its members all throughout the country to put down their tools on Saturday, alleging that Dangote Refinery had illegally fired the employees for joining the organisation.
The union characterised the action as a breach of international labour rights conventions, Nigeria’s labour laws, and the Constitution. Ndume, however, criticised the union, claiming that it was acting more in the interests of the private sector than the public.
“I have long been against so-called unionism that puts the interests of a select few ahead of the nation’s interests,” he stated.
Additionally, the senator expanded his complaint to include corruption and the celebration of dubious wealth in Nigeria’s political and economic spheres. “This nation is celebrating inexplicable wealth. Our whole resources are impacted by the celebration of dubious wealth,” he said.
He maintained that, in contrast to earlier periods, public responsibility had declined.
Political leaders were scrutinised by the public when we were growing up. In the past, inability to pay local taxes led to incarceration. However, corruption has gained legitimacy in modern times, and people no longer consider it. Even after being labelled criminals and imprisoned, they are honoured,” Ndume continued.
