Author: Online Editor

The National Rebirth Movement (NRM) has vowed to mobilise Nigerians for nationwide protests against what it described as a dangerous plot by the federal government to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and sell off critical national assets.

In a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna, Comrade James Jonah Gbudu, president of the movement, accused Finance Minister Wale Edun of spearheading moves that would strip the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of its backbone and hand over the country’s oil wealth to cronies.

“These amendments are the handiwork of Wale Edun, who appears to think he will be in government forever. Nigerians must rise against this kind of individual mentality and the planned return of the Obasanjo/Atiku era that sold off critical national assets. This time, they want to sell everything to their friends and render the NNPCL naked,” Gbudu said.

The NRM president said the movement would not fold its arms while government policies mortgage the nation’s future. He described the PIA, passed into law in 2021 after two decades of delay, as one of the few reforms that provided a clear framework for the oil and gas sector.

The group said it believes President Bola Tinubu may not be aware of the move to amend the PIA and sell off public assets.

“It is barely four years since the PIA came into effect, and instead of strengthening it, this government wants to dismantle its safeguards. Our national oil company, which should be a source of pride and revenue for all Nigerians, is being targeted for stripping under the guise of reforms. We believe President Bola Tinubu may not be fully aware of the implications of this move, but Nigerians will not be passive while their future is auctioned,” he said.

Gbudu recalled how past privatisations failed to deliver value to citizens, saying they mainly enriched a few politically connected businessmen. He warned that repeating that pattern in the oil sector would deepen poverty and unemployment.

“The Obasanjo/Atiku era taught us bitter lessons. NEPA was sold, yet Nigerians are still in darkness. Refineries were left comatose while billions are spent on fuel imports. We will not allow another cycle of deception,” he declared.

Instead of amending the PIA to pave the way for asset sales, Gbudu urged the government to focus on transparency and accountability within the NNPCL.

“What Nigerians want is openness. We want to know the real figures, the contracts, the daily production, the inflows and outflows. That is what will build trust and efficiency. Selling off assets to friends of those in government will only deepen corruption and rob the country of future revenues,” he added.

The NRM leader said the group has begun consultations with civil society organisations, labour unions, student groups and community leaders to resist the proposed changes.

“We are ready to lead Nigerians to the streets if necessary. This is not just about oil, it is about the survival of our commonwealth. If they insist on amending the PIA to sell off our assets, we will mobilise nationwide protests,” Gbudu warned.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has revealed that her husband’s decision to run on a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023 strained her relationship with members of her local church, describing the experience as a “bitter pill” that tested her faith.

She made the revelation in her new 52-page memoir titled The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday. The five-chapter book, which spans events from 2021 to 2025, includes a foreword by Dr. Folashade Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.

According to Mrs Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) same-faith ticket, which paired her husband, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Kashim Shettima, drew backlash even from within her church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

“One of such decisions was the unpopular ‘Muslim/Muslim ticket’. My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split,” she wrote.

She said the division within the parish reflected the diverse political leanings of members, recalling a similar incident in 2011 when her campaign posters for the Senate were rejected in church.

“But my husband’s bid for the Presidential Office was different, a bitter pill for them to chew,” she added.

The 2022 Muslim-Muslim ticket revived one of Nigeria’s most contentious political debates, with critics—particularly from Christian groups—warning that it could deepen religious divisions. Supporters of the move, however, argued that competence and political strategy should take precedence over religion.

Despite the tension, Mrs Tinubu said she remained committed to her faith and continued attending her local parish.

“I kept attending church, and I thank God I have grown from being a baby to a mature Christian. So the little resentment I witnessed from a few was met with the peace of God,” she wrote.

The First Lady noted that while some church members showed hostility, others offered her encouragement and prayers.

“All the same, despite a few who showed hostility, many were encouraging, especially our elders. I thank my local assembly because most of them made me feel welcome and comfortable whenever I was home from Abuja,” she added.

Mrs Tinubu, who has been a member of the RCCG since 2007, said she had served in various capacities, rising from a new member to an Assistant Pastor in 2018.

“I have been a dedicated member for 15 years. Within that time, from the new members class, I graduated from The Redeemed Christian Bible College and the School of Disciples to become a worker, then a Deaconess, and later an Assistant Pastor,” she wrote.

Reflecting on the political journey that led to her husband’s election victory in 2023, she said the path was marked by betrayal and disappointment from longtime allies.

“He had mused on the idea for over 14 years. Most people I thought would support the idea were not forthcoming. Some said no indirectly, while others preferred to wait and see,” she wrote.

The First Lady added that she has since forgiven those who betrayed her husband.

“I do not have anything against anyone. The grace of God comforted me not to avenge myself. If God fights your battles and you have won, there is nothing left to fix—so let it go,” she said.

President Tinubu went on to win the February 2023 presidential election, defeating Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

Mrs Tinubu’s memoir offers a rare glimpse into her personal struggles during the campaign and her perspective on faith, forgiveness, and resilience amid political storms.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its affiliate unions to begin urgent mobilisation ahead of a potential nationwide industrial action against the Dangote Group over alleged anti-labour practices.

The directive came amid a strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday, which crippled activities at major oil and gas institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

However, the National Industrial Court in Abuja on the same day issued an interim order restraining PENGASSAN from continuing its strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. The court barred the union from disrupting crude oil and gas supplies to the $20 billion Lekki-based refinery.

PENGASSAN, however, insisted it had not received any court injunction, stating that legal notices are served through bailiffs, not social media posts.

In an internal memo addressed to affiliate unions, NLC President Joe Ajaero accused the Dangote Group of running a “protracted anti-worker crusade” and urged members to prepare for a “decisive collective action.”

According to Ajaero, the dispute between the refinery and PENGASSAN began after over 800 workers were allegedly sacked for attempting to unionise. He claimed the dismissed employees were replaced with about 2,000 expatriates, mostly from India. Dangote Group denied the allegation, saying the layoffs were part of a safety-related restructuring, adding that over 3,000 Nigerians remain on its payroll.

The standoff has already disrupted operations at the refinery, a project central to Nigeria’s plan to cut fuel imports and stabilise its currency. Government officials have since intervened, holding a mediation meeting on Monday in Abuja between the Federal Government, PENGASSAN, and the Dangote Group.

Ajaero accused the company of violating labour laws and international conventions. “The Dangote Group operates as a state within a state. It has repeatedly flouted Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and ILO Conventions 87 and 98,” he said.

He added, “Their facilities are not workplaces but plantations of exploitation, where the dignity of workers is crushed to maximise profit. The time for dialogue is over. The moment for decisive action is now.”

The NLC directed affiliate unions to immediately begin unionisation drives at all Dangote facilities and prepare for a coordinated industrial response. Each affiliate has been asked to establish an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC headquarters within 72 hours for strategy coordination.

“The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with organised resistance,” Ajaero warned. “The blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built this conglomerate; we will not let it become a monument to their oppression.”

Meanwhile, the PENGASSAN strike paralysed operations at NNPCL and related agencies on Monday. At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate remained locked, leaving staff stranded. Similar scenes were observed at the NMDPRA headquarters, where the union said it achieved “100 per cent compliance.”

In its court filing, Dangote Group argued that the layoffs were due to sabotage and safety concerns, not anti-union sentiment. The company’s counsel, George Ibrahim, stressed that the refinery provides essential services to the Nigerian economy and cannot afford operational disruptions.

He asked the court to restrain unions and regulatory bodies from halting crude and gas supply or obstructing refinery operations.

The Dangote Refinery dispute has become a test of strength between Nigeria’s most powerful industrial conglomerate and the country’s organised labour, with significant implications for the energy sector and the broader economy.

…say parties must respect the rule of law*

A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as “a victory for the rule of law and economic stability”.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the decision of the court and allow due process to take its course.

“We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,” Oresanya said.

“The attempt to cripple operations at the Dangote Refinery by cutting off crude oil and gas supply would have inflicted incalculable damage on the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians. The judiciary has once again risen to the occasion by protecting both the rule of law and the national interest.”

The coalition further warned that industrial unions must not act in a manner that undermines national development or the survival of critical infrastructure.

“While we recognise and respect the constitutional right of workers to organise and press their demands, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy. To hold it hostage for union politics is unacceptable,” the statement read.

Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to retrace its steps and engage in constructive dialogue rather than confrontation.

He also commended the federal government for acting swiftly by meeting with PENGASSAN and regulatory agencies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), while urging stakeholders to abide strictly by the interim order of the court.

“The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,” Oresanya stressed.

The coalition also expressed concern that the controversy surrounding PENGASSAN’s allegations against the refinery could distract from the broader national goal of energy sufficiency.

“Independent investigations and facts on ground have shown that the Dangote Refinery has been a net creator of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Rather than peddling unsubstantiated allegations, the union should channel energy into ensuring that the refinery delivers optimally and contributes to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products,” the group noted.

CODER concluded by calling on Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the judicial process.

“The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,” Oresanya added.

The National Industrial Court had earlier on Monday restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after Dangote Refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.

Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.

Civil Society Organisations, Movement for Better Nation (MBN) and Good Governance Campaigners Network (GGCN) have dismissed allegations of corruption and underperformance against the Provost of Federal Cooperative College Oji River, Enugu State (FCCO), Dr. Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu, following investigations. 

The groups launched an inquiry after a report had mentioned the college in a project duplication allegation. The investigation involved a fact-finding visit to the institution and all the project sites linked to the report.

In a joint statement made available to newsmen, Saturday in Enugu, by the Coordinator of the two civil society groups,  Comrade Emmanuel Ailemen, revealed that facts on the ground gave a clean bill of health on Dr. Obidiegwu as the mentioning of his name and FCCO in projects duplication were “absolute misinformation”, rather they are ongoing Constituency Projects.

Ailemen disclosed that given the empirical evidence on the ground, the CSOs passed a vote of confidence on Dr. Obidiegwu,  noting that beyond the emergence of facts exonerating him and the institute from contract fraud, he has transformed FCCO from being a school without basic facilities for learning, training and development to an institution with the right atmosphere for academic excellence and capacity building.

The group further stated that the kind of transformation FCCO has undergone under the current Provost aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while urging the general public to disregard all allegations linking Dr. Obidiegwu to corruption or underperformance, but rather dwell on facts on the ground.

“At first, our attention was drawn to the allegation of project duplication in which the Federal Cooperative College Oji River, under the leadership of Dr. Obidiegwu, was mentioned. However,  from our findings, we can confirm that the allegation is an absolute falsehood and misinformation.

“We also uncovered that projects FCCO was mentioned were awarded to communities in Akwa Ibom State; rather, the projects are Constituency projects and are at various completion stages.

“It is worthy of note that none of the projects were located in Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State. The Provost of the college mentioned in the project duplication allegations was an act of misinformation.

“It is evident that the college name was erroneously written as a benefactor in the Akwa Ibom Constituency projects.”

On the performance of FCCO under the Dr Obidiegwu-led leadership, the CSOs praised the Provost for spearheading infrastructural development in the college after one year of being in charge.

“We can attest from what we saw on the ground that under Dr. Jude Ejikeme Obidiegwu’s transformational leadership shot the College shot into the limelight as a better alternative to prospective candidates seeking admission into a credible tertiary institution, despite taking over the mantle of leadership of the Institution just a year ago.

“No doubt, the ongoing reforms driven by Dr. Obidiegwu have increased and given the College a comparative advantage over contemporaries over others in the country.

“We encourage Dr. Obidiegwu to keep up with the good work, he must not be deterred or distracted by criticism from naysayers. We declare our support for his leadership.

“Dr Obidiegwu has our vote of confidence, and we urge him not to pay attention to baseless allegations orchestrated by enemies of progress,” the statement added.

****Says Enemies of Nigeria Desperately at Work to Sabotage Energy Independence

The Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum has called on the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate what it describes as desperate attempts by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to undermine the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a critical national asset aimed at achieving Nigeria’s energy independence.

In a statement signed by Comrade Olabisi Taiwo, President, and Dr. Justice Akani Alikor, Secretary, the Forum expressed alarm over PENGASSAN’s threats to picket the $20 billion refinery over alleged mass sackings.

The group accused the union of risking Nigeria’s return to fuel scarcity, economic instability, and national embarrassment, urging Nigerians to question PENGASSAN’s motives.

“PENGASSAN, alongside NUPENG, played a significant role in the collapse of Nigeria’s public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna,” the Forum stated.

“They resisted reforms, blocked privatization, and crippled fuel supply with strikes. Their actions contributed to the rot that turned these refineries into relics of corruption and mismanagement.”

The Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is a private initiative designed to end Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, stabilize prices, and create jobs.

The Forum emphasized that the refinery, which employs over 3,000 Nigerians and continues to recruit, is not anti-labor but focused on operational efficiency and safety.

The company’s recent reorganization, according to Dangote, was prompted by acts of sabotage that threatened operations.

The Forum criticized PENGASSAN’s threat to picket the refinery despite a court order restraining industrial action, calling it “union overreach” and a violation of the rule of law.

It also condemned the union’s inflammatory rhetoric, citing a metaphorical statement about a “witch crying in the night” as reckless and divisive.

“Who benefits if the refinery fails?” the Forum asked. “Certainly not the Nigerian people, but fuel importers and rent seekers who profit from chaos.”

The group urged PENGASSAN to engage in dialogue, respect the courts, and prioritize national interests over what it called “irresponsible unionism.”

The Forum called on the Ministries of Labour, Petroleum Resources, and Justice to intervene and protect the refinery from disruption.

“The government must send a clear message: industrial blackmail will not be tolerated,” the statement read.

“Nigerians have suffered enough from fuel queues and economic hardship. The Dangote Refinery is our best chance at energy independence, and we must not allow vested interests to destroy it.”

The Forum concluded by reaffirming its support for progress, stability, and the rule of law, urging all Nigerians to protect the refinery as a symbol of hope and a break from the nation’s troubled energy past.