ACF Warns of Alleged Plot to Cripple Dangote Refinery, Urges FG Intervention
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed deep concern over what it described as a calculated attempt by vested interests to undermine the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, warning that such efforts pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and investment reputation.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T.A. Muhammad-Baba, the northern socio-political group highlighted the challenges facing the multi-billion-dollar refinery, including regulatory bottlenecks, crude oil supply disruptions, and labour union disputes.
The Forum described the facility—hailed as Nigeria’s largest and most advanced indigenous crude oil processing plant—as being subjected to “an unrelenting onslaught” since inception, allegedly orchestrated by entrenched interests determined to maintain control over the nation’s oil sector.
“From conception, implementation, and commissioning, the Dangote Refinery has faced all sorts of obstacles, as cabals fearful of its success seek to preserve a system long dominated by sharp practices, subsidy rackets, and inefficiencies,” the statement read.
The ACF condemned what it termed coercive attempts to force Dangote Refinery workers into joining PENGASSAN, stressing that union membership is a matter of personal choice under Nigeria’s constitution. It backed Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s legal action to safeguard the refinery from industrial disruption, expressing dismay that the union allegedly ignored a subsisting court order restraining interference in operations.
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“It should be concerning to all law-abiding citizens that PENGASSAN has refused to comply with a court order prohibiting disruption of the refinery’s activities,” ACF said.
The group aligned with calls by Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Mohammed Ali Ndume that workers should allow the refinery to stabilize before pursuing unionization.
According to the Forum, any attempt to destabilize the refinery would not only cripple Nigeria’s fuel supply reforms but also discourage domestic and international investors, sending damaging signals about the country’s business climate.
Describing the refinery as a “strategic national asset,” ACF urged the Federal Government to shield it from what it called “internal and external sabotage.” It recommended listing the facility in a National Register of Strategic Assets for special protection under national security laws.
Furthermore, ACF called for the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate and sanction individuals or groups behind recurring industrial disruptions that threaten critical national and private industries.
While urging labour unions to avoid actions that could undermine Nigeria’s economic stability, the Forum also warned against “international conspiracies and machinations aimed at sabotaging Africa’s indigenous industrial growth.”
Welcoming ongoing government mediation between the refinery and labour unions, ACF stressed that the truce must be made permanent.
“The Dangote Refinery must not be allowed to fail. Protecting this facility goes beyond defending one businessman—it is about safeguarding Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and future,” the Forum emphasized.
By PRNigeria
