AfriPulse
By EZEKIEL OBI, Abuja
In a powerful show of solidarity and civic action, thousands of Nigerians marched through the streets of Abuja today in a mass rally organised by four major national groups, issuing a joint statement condemning what they described as an orchestrated campaign of economic sabotage by fuel importers and complicit labour unions.
The rally, which moved from Unity Fountain to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), was led by: Comrade Kennedy Tabuko, Spokesman, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON); Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele, National Chairman, Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF); Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman, National President, National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA) and Barr. Yusuf Danladi, Chairman, Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA).
Reading from the joint statement, the coalition leaders said Nigeria was “at a critical crossroads,” warning that the recent threats by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), and the planned industrial actions by PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), were designed to sabotage Nigeria’s energy reforms and bring hardship to citizens.
> “The actions and threats by DAPPMAN, alongside the ill-timed strike threats by PENGASSAN, TUC, and NUPENG, represent nothing short of a direct assault on the Nigerian people, our economy, and our future,” the joint statement declared.
“President Tinubu should hold these people responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order in this country. They should be immediately arrested for disobedience to court order.”
*A Cartel Threatened by Progress*
The groups called out DAPPMAN for what they described as “decades of profiteering,” accusing the association of sabotaging the newly commissioned Dangote Refinery out of fear of competition.
> “DAPPMAN’s opposition to Dangote Refinery is not about policy or patriotism—it is about preserving their stranglehold over Nigerians,” said Comrade Kennedy Tabuko.
“Their agenda is to keep fuel importation alive so they can continue profiteering at the expense of ordinary citizens.”
*Labour Strike Not for Workers, But for Cartels*
The coalition described the planned strike by oil and gas unions as an “unholy alliance” with economic saboteurs, warning that such actions would only deepen the suffering of Nigerians already grappling with food inflation, high transport costs, and joblessness.
> “Let us be clear: this is not a strike for workers. It is a strike for cartels,” stated Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele.
“History will not forgive any union that aligns with saboteurs against the very people they claim to represent.”
They welcomed the Federal High Court ruling barring PENGASSAN from stopping gas supply to Dangote Refinery, and called on law enforcement to ensure the judgment is enforced.
> “The judiciary has spoken clearly: no union or cartel has the right to hold 200 million Nigerians hostage,” said Barr. Yusuf Danladi, PCPA Chairman.
“Union Hypocrisy Must End”
The coalition questioned why PENGASSAN was attempting to force its way into a private enterprise like Dangote Refinery, when other unions like ASUU, NUT, and NURTW do not forcefully unionise private schools or transport companies.
> “If any worker at Dangote Refinery is unhappy and feels the need for union protection, let them seek employment elsewhere or test their grievances in court,” said Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman.
“Nigerians cannot allow a situation where, after decades of suffering from fuel imports, one man builds a world-class refinery, and a union claims the power to cripple it at will.”
*The Pain of Nigeriand*
The statement painted a vivid picture of the harsh realities ordinary citizens face daily: Mothers trekking due to unaffordable transport, children dropping out of school and families sleeping hungry due to rising food prices
> “Now imagine the additional torment if DAPPMAN succeeds: fuel scarcity will return, black markets will flourish, transportation will collapse, and inflation will skyrocket,” the statement warned.
“It is not just wickedness—it is economic terrorism against the Nigerian people.”
*The Demands*
In their joint resolution, the groups outlined their demands and next steps: Total condemnation of DAPPMAN’s anti-people agenda; Strong opposition to any strike that undermines Dangote Refinery; Unwavering support for local refineries; Filing a lawsuit against DAPPMAN for economic sabotage; Mass rallies to the National Assembly, Presidential Villa, and NMDPRA; International advocacy to ECOWAS, AU, and UN and Policy support for breaking fuel import cartels permanently
The groups expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s reform agenda but warned that appeasing cartels would backfire.
> “We call on the President, the National Assembly, and all regulators to stand with the people, not with profiteers,” the statement urged.
They ended with a firm warning to DAPPMAN and strike organisers:
> “If you proceed, we will meet you in court, in the streets, and in the global arena,” the coalition warned.
“This nation belongs to its people—not to cartels, not to saboteurs, not to profiteers.”
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
