A coalition of civil society organizations has thrown its weight behind Dangote Petroleum Refinery in its ongoing dispute with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers over workers’ rights to join trade unions. The CSOs have threatened to take legal action against NUPENG, accusing the union of employing “economic terrorism” and coercive tactics to force workers to join their ranks.

The coalition, which comprises several groups including the Civil Rights Defenders Advocates, Citizens for Economic Justice, and Nigeria Freedom Network, addressed journalists on Wednesday to condemn NUPENG’s alleged strong-arm tactics. According to Dr. Agabi Emmanuel, the convener of the coalition, NUPENG has been pressuring refinery workers, including truck drivers, to join the union under threats of blockades and intimidation.

The CSOs argue that NUPENG’s actions are a clear violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects the right to freely associate or abstain from unions. They also cited the Trade Unions Act and Trade Disputes Act, which they claim NUPENG has breached through its reported actions, such as obstructing non-union workers from loading fuel and affixing seals on trucks to assert control.

The coalition has lauded Dangote Refinery for upholding voluntarism and ensuring a safe working environment, contrasting it with NUPENG’s tactics which they say sabotage Nigeria’s energy security. Dr. Emmanuel warned that the coalition would file lawsuits if Dangote or any entity forces workers into union membership, emphasizing that “the right to choose is non-negotiable”.

The CSOs have also called on the Department of State Services to investigate NUPENG’s sponsors, as well as allegations of high-profile intimidation involving the Navy and helicopter flyovers. They urged the Federal Government, civil society, and international labor bodies to denounce NUPENG’s “economic blackmail” and support industrial harmony.

The dispute between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG has significant implications for Nigeria’s energy sector, with the refinery being a crucial component of the country’s energy security. The CSOs’ intervention highlights the need for a balanced approach to workers’ rights and union activities, one that promotes voluntarism and protects the rights of all stakeholders involved. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the parties involved will respond to the CSOs’ demands and what impact this will have on the broader energy landscape in Nigeria.