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PENGASSAN Strike Threatens Fuel Supply After Dangote Refinery Firings

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Nigeria senior oil workers’ union has launched a nationwide strike after more than 800 workers were dismissed from the Dangote Refinery for seeking to join the union, a move that threatens fuel supplies and could deepen the country’s economic troubles.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, known as PENGASSAN, began the strike on Sunday, Sept. 28, halting operations at the massive refinery outside Lagos. The facility, owned by billionaire Aliko Dangote, produces an estimated 50% of Nigeria’s petrol.

Union leaders said members had also been directed to cut crude oil and natural gas supplies from international oil companies. If prolonged, the move could trigger widespread fuel shortages, blackouts, and daily economic losses estimated at 14.7 billion naira ($9.5 million).

“The dismissals are a direct attack on the rights of workers to freely associate and join unions,” PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said in a statement. “We cannot stand by while our members are victimized.”

The federal government has moved quickly to contain the crisis. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has summoned representatives from both PENGASSAN and the Dangote Group to conciliation talks on Monday, Sept. 29. Officials said the aim is to prevent the strike from escalating into a nationwide fuel emergency.

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“The government is deeply concerned about the economic and social impact of this action,” Labour Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha said. “We urge both parties to come to the table in good faith.”

The Dangote Refinery, which officially opened earlier this year, is considered a cornerstone of Nigeria’s strategy to end its reliance on imported fuel. The $20 billion project was hailed as a turning point for Africa’s largest oil producer, promising jobs, cheaper fuel, and energy security.

But the dispute with workers has cast a shadow over the project’s early operations. Dangote Group officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Analysts warn that if the strike continues, Nigeria could face fuel queues, rising transport costs, and further pressure on inflation, already at its highest level in decades. Power generation, which relies heavily on gas, could also take a hit, leading to more frequent blackouts in cities and industries.

“The timing could not be worse,” said Lagos-based economist Chika Okafor. “The refinery was supposed to stabilize Nigeria’s fuel market, but now it risks becoming a flashpoint that worsens the energy crisis.”

Workers at the refinery said tensions had been building for weeks after staff pushed to affiliate with PENGASSAN. When more than 800 workers were dismissed, the union viewed it as retaliation.

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“This is about respect and dignity,” said a dismissed refinery engineer who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. “We only wanted to have a voice, and instead we lost our jobs.”

PENGASSAN has a history of using strikes to pressure both oil companies and the government. In the past, similar actions have crippled crude exports and disrupted the economy.

Experts say much depends on Monday’s conciliation talks. If the government can broker a deal quickly, the strike could end within days. If not, the standoff could ripple through Nigeria’s economy, affecting transport, businesses, and millions of households.

For now, motorists and businesses are bracing for the worst. Lines have already begun forming at some petrol stations in Lagos and Abuja amid fears of shortages.

“The strike is a reminder of how fragile Nigeria’s energy sector remains,” said energy analyst Ifeoma Nwosu. “The Dangote Refinery was supposed to be a solution, but it has also created new tensions that the government must now manage.”

As the talks loom, Nigerians wait anxiously, aware that even a few days of disrupted fuel supply could grind daily life to a halt.

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Kwara PDP Protests As Govt Moves To Reopen Robbery Case Against Saraki, Others.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has strongly opposed reported moves by the state government to revisit the alleged Offa robbery case involving former Governor Abubakar Bukola Saraki and others.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that the party made its position known during an emergency press conference in Ilorin on Friday, describing the development as politically motivated and unjust.

PDP spokesman, Comrade Olushola Adewara, said the alleged plan to reopen the case amounts to an attempt to politicise a matter that has already been concluded by the courts.

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He alleged that the move was targeted at dragging Saraki into a case in which, according to him, legal authorities had previously found no evidence linking him to the incident.

Adewara referenced earlier legal opinions from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which reportedly stated that Saraki was not connected to the robbery case.

The party insisted that suspects in the case had already been prosecuted and convicted, with judgments upheld at appellate levels, while the matter is currently before the Supreme Court.

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PDP urged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus on governance rather than what it described as attempts to revive old political narratives.

It also called on security agencies to monitor the situation closely, warning that such actions could heighten political tension in the state.

The party further appealed to residents, especially families of victims in Offa, not to allow their pain to be used for political purposes.

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2027: Oyo APC Senator Alli Declares Governorship Ambition.

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Senator representing Oyo South, Sharafadeen Alli, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Alli, who serves under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration on Friday during a formal event held at the Police Field in Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government Area.

The APC chieftain and Ekaarun Balogun of Ibadanland said he will be running on the platform of his party.

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The event attracted thousands of APC leaders, stakeholders, and members, including top political figures such as Senator Yunus Akintunde, House of Representatives members Akin Alabi, Aderemi Oseni, Akeem Adeyemi, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, Tajudeen Abisodun, and Senator Hamzat Adeseun.

Also in attendance were former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, among others.

Alli said his decision followed wide consultations with stakeholders and was driven by his desire to advance the development of Oyo State.

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He noted his past political experience, including serving as Chairman of Ibadan North Local Government and Secretary to the Oyo State Government under Senator Rasidi Ladoja, as well as his current role in the Senate, where he said he has consistently advocated for his constituents.

According to him, his ambition is focused on delivering better governance and moving the state forward.

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Showunmi Declares For Ogun 2027 Governorship, Seeks IPAC Support.

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A PDP chieftain and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Showunmi made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta on Friday.

He called for a broad political coalition involving opposition parties and grassroots groups to challenge what he described as the failures of dominant political forces in the state.

Showunmi argued that political parties may choose or endorse candidates, but insisted such arrangements must not deny voters a genuine electoral choice.

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He said: “I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election. I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee… to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen.”

He also questioned whether Ogun State would experience a “coronation” or a competitive election process, urging stakeholders to allow open political contest.

The PDP chieftain noted that Ogun West’s long-standing exclusion from producing a governor is a legitimate grievance, but stressed that aspirations must still be tested through competition.

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He advocated issue-based campaigns ahead of 2027, rejecting “money politics” and challenging aspirants to public debates on governance.

Showunmi maintained that he has no history of violence or political thuggery, insisting the election should be centred on ideas and development plans for the state.

In response, IPAC leadership and other political actors at the event called for collaboration and careful selection of leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

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