MURIC Sends Message to Tinubu's Govt as PENGASSAN Declares Nationwide Strike Amid Feud With Dangote
- MURIC has blasted PENGASSAN for allegedly attempting to dictate outrageous terms to Aliko Dangote, owner of Dangote Refinery
- According to MURIC, Dangote deserves commendation because he has invested $23 billion in his refinery "aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the Nigerian masses"
- Amid a strike, MURIC accused PENGASSAN leadership of putting the welfare of more than 250 million Nigerians in jeopardy due to self-interest
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Iba, Lagos state - Popular Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has told oil workers to 'leave Dangote Refinery alone'.
The call comes amid a face-off between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery.
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng had reported how PENGASSAN instructed its members nationwide to withdraw their services following the alleged mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery.
In a circular issued after an emergency national executive council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, September 27, 2025, and signed by general secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigeria’s labour laws, the constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by dismissing workers for joining the association.
The NEC alleged the refinery had replaced the dismissed staff with “over 2,000 Indians,” calling the action “an affront to all workers in Nigeria.”
To press its demands, PENGASSAN directed members in field locations to down tools from Sunday, September 28, and ordered a total nationwide shutdown across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies from Monday, September 29.
PENGASSAN: MURIC backs Dangote
Reacting, MURIC accused the leadership of PENGASSAN of putting the welfare of more than 250 million Nigerians in jeopardy 'because of an infinitesimal minority'. It, therefore, called on the federal government to protect Dangote Refinery from what it called 'the overbearing influence of the oil workers union.'
MURIC urged the Bola Tinubu-led federal government to protect Dangote Refinery from the alleged excesses of PENGASSAN.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, September 29, 2025 by the executive director of the faith-based rights advocacy group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, obtained by Legit.ng.
The statement reads:
“This strike is absolutely unnecessary. It appears there are other hidden motives. Going by what Nigeria went through in terms of decades of fuel shortages, long queues at petrol stations, high price of fuel which often ignited sudden rise in the prices of goods and services, etc, PENGASSAN should have considered the impact on Nigerians before deciding to go on strike.
"It is a narrow-minded, parochial and unpatriotic decision. It is equally a most unpopular step and Nigerians from different walks of life have expressed their disapproval of the strike."
MURIC added:
“We therefore call on the federal government to protect Dangote Refinery from the excesses of PENGASSAN and any other external workers union. Our call is hinged on the interest and general welfare of Nigerian citizens as well as that of the Nigerian economy."
Dangote slashes petrol price
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria’s petroleum market has entered another wave of price cuts as Dangote Petroleum Refinery and private depot operators slash petrol and diesel prices across key supply hubs.
This move comes even as international oil benchmarks surged, with Brent crude trading at $66.60 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbing to $63.15.
Industry analysts say the contrast highlights a deepening price war in the downstream sector, as depot owners battle to retain market share against Dangote’s aggressive expansion.
Source: Legit.ng
