CSOs hail court order stopping PENGASSAN’s strike
A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as “a […]
A coalition of civil society organisations has applauded the ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja halting the planned strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The group, operating under the aegis of the Coalition for the Defence of Economic Rights (CODER), described the interim order as “a victory for the rule of law and economic stability.”
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on Monday night and signed by its president, Comrade Babajide Oresanya, CODER urged all parties to respect the decision of the court and allow due process to take its course.
“We hail the decision of the court under Justice Emmanuel Sublim to stop the strike and preserve the integrity of our economy,” Oresanya said.
He added that while workers have the constitutional right to organise and press their demands, such actions must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law.
“The refinery is not just a private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with implications for energy security, job creation, and the wider economy,” Oresanya noted.
Oresanya urged PENGASSAN to embrace dialogue rather than confrontation and commended the federal government for engaging with stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
“The court has spoken. Any attempt to flout this order would amount to contempt and could further escalate the situation. Nigerians are watching, and what the country needs at this moment is stability, not conflict. Respect for the judiciary is non-negotiable,” he said.
CODER also called on Nigerians to remain calm and to trust in the judicial process.
“The interim order is only the first step. The substantive matter will be heard on October 13, and we are confident that the court will dispense justice in line with the facts presented. What is most important now is that all parties submit to the authority of the court and allow reason to prevail,” Oresanya added.
Earlier on Monday, the National Industrial Court restrained PENGASSAN from proceeding with its nationwide strike after counsel to the Dangote Refinery, George Ibrahim, filed an ex-parte application.
Justice Sublim ruled that the strike could cause irreparable harm to the economy and ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the substantive case is heard.