Kaduna Protest: PANEP Warns Against Plot to Undermine Dangote Refinery

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Thousands of demonstrators on Monday took to the streets of Kaduna in a massive show of support for the Dangote Refinery, accusing oil import cartels and some labour leaders of attempting to sabotage Nigeria’s biggest private oil investment.

The march, themed “National Unity Against Sabotage: Reclaiming Our Petroleum Sector for the People,” was organised by the Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP) to demand stronger government protection for the refinery.

Addressing the crowd, PANEP leader Igwe Ude-Umanta alleged that certain oil importers were conspiring to keep Nigeria dependent on imported petroleum products — a move he likened to the deliberate collapse of the nation’s textile industry.

“The cartel that killed our refineries and textile industry now wants to strangle Dangote Refinery. We won’t let them succeed,” Ude-Umanta declared.

The group further accused the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) of aiding the alleged sabotage through what it called “economic terrorism.” PANEP urged the Federal Government to impose tariffs or suspend fuel imports entirely to protect local refining and strengthen energy independence.

Another PANEP leader, Dahiru Maishanu, appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging his administration to ensure that all local refineries have access to crude oil at the same rate as international buyers.

“The early impact of Dangote Refinery on fuel prices shows that Nigerians are already breathing fresh air. We cannot allow anyone to frustrate that progress,” Maishanu stated.

The demonstrators warned that any attempt to undermine the refinery could discourage future investments in Nigeria’s energy sector, calling on the government to “crush every enemy of Nigeria’s economic progress.”

Monday’s protest came amid ongoing tension between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery management, following allegations of unfair labour practices — claims the refinery has firmly denied. The dispute had earlier prompted federal mediation to restore dialogue between both parties.