President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may have been ignoring Primate Ayodele’s several warnings and prophecies but the one he gave regarding NUPENG/PENGASSAN crisis many months ago has to be listened to if the president wants the country to run smoothly.
Although the warning was given by Primate Ayodele months ago, the news surrounding the crisis between NUPENG and Dangote refinery which is currently making rounds has successfully signaled the beginning of the fulfilment of Primate Ayodele’s prophecy on NUPENG.
Primate Ayodele in his prophecy had warned President Tinubu to handle NUPENG/PENGASSAN well to avoid any strike or threat from the bodies. He stated that whatever request they make should be handled properly in order to avoid shut down of the Nigerian economy.
He stated that if the government allows them to strike, it will be chaotic for the country.
These were his words
NUPENG/PENGASSAN, Let’s commit them in the hands of God, they may want to go on strike demanding something from the government. It will affect the economy. Government should please attend to them urgently and do all that is needful before it is too late. They shouldn’t allow it get to that point because it will lead to chaos…..”
At the moment, although the bodies have not fully gone on strike but they have issued threats with labour bodies backing them in their fight against the government. The current issue borders around perceived monopoly in the downstream sector.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused Aliko Dangote and Sayyu Aliu Dantata of engaging in alleged anti-union practices.
The union claims the businessmen are trying to monopolise Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas distribution while suppressing workers’ rights.
NUPENG, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Williams Akhoreha, and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, on Friday alleged that the drivers recruited for the CNG trucks are being forced to sign undertakings not to belong to any existing union in the oil and gas industry.
Furthermore, The industrial dispute between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the Dangote Refinery has taken a new turn as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has declared full solidarity with NUPENG and threatened to join in shutting down the refinery operations if the company continues to resist unionisation.
In a strongly worded statement by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN expressed “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG, describing the denial of workers’ right to unionise at Dangote Refinery as unacceptable and a direct violation of Nigerian labour laws and international conventions.
Sincerely, it appears a more serious economic shutdown is looming, except President Tinubu listens to the prophet’s warnings.
