Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), accusing the union of corruption, sabotage, and undermining national interest in the oil sector.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Ndume insisted that the president should issue an executive order to disband the union.
“The best thing is for the president to sign an executive order calling them off. No PENGASSAN. Dissolving PENGASSAN,” he declared, adding that past military governments had taken similar drastic measures.
Ndume, known for his outspoken stance against corruption, criticised the union’s clash with the Dangote Refinery, stressing that workers must prioritise the country above personal or institutional interests.
“Dangote is a private businessman who established his own refinery. You cannot impose anything on him,” the senator said. “The oil and gas belong to Nigeria, not the workers. If Dangote says he doesn’t want unions in his refinery, so what? He plays the piper, so he dictates the tune.”
On corruption, Ndume condemned the culture of celebrating unexplained wealth in Nigeria.
“In this country, questionable wealth is being celebrated,” he said. “Some of us in the National Assembly had no car or house before joining, but within a short time, people suddenly have unexplained wealth.”
He revealed that he is lobbying Tinubu to introduce an executive bill on unexplained wealth, which would compel public officials and private individuals to account for their assets.
“If we are going to fight corruption, it should start with me being investigated,” he said. “Check my bank account, call me to explain. I still believe things can be corrected.”
