Strike: Ndume says tinubu must act ‘like a dictator’ to dissolve the passage if necessary

Senator Ali Ndume, who represented Borno South, had asked the President of the Tinubu Bola to dissolve the Nigerian Senior Oil and Gas Staff Association (Pengassan) if the union continued to pursue what he described as “personal interests” of public goods.

Ndume made a statement on Monday during the interview on the Prime Time Television Arise program, while reacting to the national strike declared by the Pengassan for the alleged dismissal of more than 800 workers in Dangote Refinery.

The Dangote group had previously accused Union of trying to “arm difficulties” against Nigeria through its industrial action.

Ndume, an organized labor critic that has long existed in the oil sector, blamed the trade union for trying to “impose demands” on private companies. He argues that the passage must prioritize Nigerian welfare instead of advancing narrow interests.

“This is Nigeria, which should be a free country. You cannot force someone to be in the union,” he said, adding that workers “do not have oil or gas resources.”

Senator further questioned the silence of the union during the large crisis in the oil industry, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the closure of the government’s refineries.

“They are just workers. How can they ask more than the owner?” He asked.

Ndume states that decisive government intervention is needed to protect the public interest, even if that means taking extraordinary steps.

“The best thing is for the president to sign the executive order that canceled them. He has the right to dissolve them,” he said. “In this case, I don’t mind if he acts like a dictator because some situations require very drastic steps.”