Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has defended workers’ right to unionize amid the trade dispute between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Friday, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president said workers’ freedom to organize is both constitutional and divinely granted. He emphasized that the right to association remains a fundamental value protected under Section 40 of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Oshiomhole stated, “It is not even just a constitutional right. It is a God-given right for human beings to associate in pursuit of their common interest. These are core values I subscribe to, and they are guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution.”
He clarified that trade union laws grant both employers and employees rights, including the option to join or refuse union membership. According to him, this balance prevents forced participation while protecting freedom of choice.
While defending union rights, Oshiomhole expressed concern that PENGASSAN’s clash with Dangote Refinery could escalate to threaten the oil sector.
He cautioned, “If we seek to protect a particular set of workers, we should not risk the jobs of several others.”
Oshiomhole stressed that unions must protect workers but act responsibly to avoid jeopardizing broader industry stability.
