Nigerian Senator Ali Ndume has cautioned the Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot Petroleum Product Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) to cease their criticism of Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Refinery. Ndume’s statement comes amidst a dispute between Dangote Refinery, NUPENG, DAPPMAN, and other stakeholders in the country’s downstream oil sector.

The senator described the ongoing feud as a “poisonous media narrative” aimed at discrediting Dangote. He noted that previous administrations had granted licenses to numerous individuals to build refineries, but many failed to utilize them. Instead, some license holders profited from crude oil allocation incentives. Ndume pointed out that as far back as 2002, 12 private operators were granted licenses to build refineries, and in 2007, nine new licenses were issued after the initial ones were revoked.

Ndume emphasized that the current fuel importers had not taken the initiative to build refineries, despite being given the opportunity. He also mentioned that during the Muhammadu Buhari administration, licenses were granted to private investors to build modular refineries, but few made significant progress. The senator questioned the accusations of monopoly in a deregulated industry, stating that there are no deliberate bottlenecks against any player and no special concessions have been granted to Dangote.

Ndume urged NUPENG, PENGASSAN, and other stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue with Dangote rather than inciting division and sensationalism in the media. He stressed that the goal should be to balance labor rights with national development imperatives, rather than putting ordinary citizens at the receiving end of a power struggle.

The dispute between Dangote Refinery and the stakeholders has been ongoing, with NUPENG recently embarking on an industrial strike against the refinery’s alleged anti-labor activities. The strike was suspended following intervention from the Federal Government and the Department of State Security. DAPPMAN has also accused Dangote Refinery of attempting to stifle competition. Ndume’s warning highlights the need for constructive dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders to promote national development and balance labor rights.