A coalition of civil society groups and market associations on Tuesday staged a rally in Abuja, warning against what they described as sabotage of Nigeria’s energy sector by petroleum marketers and labour unions.

The rally, which moved to the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), was organised by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), the Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), the National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA), and the Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA).

The rally was jointly led by Ibrahim Suleiman, President, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON); Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele, National Chairman, Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF); Boma Agbede, National President, National Coalition for Market Men, Women & Artisans (NACOMWA); and Barr. Yusuf Danladi, Chairman, Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA).

Addressing journalists, the groups accused the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) of deliberately undermining the Dangote Refinery and other indigenous refining efforts.
Suleiman alleged that DAPPMAN was determined to maintain import dependency, artificial scarcity, and profiteering at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.

He also criticised the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for threatening strike action, describing the move as a “dagger to Nigerians’ hearts” that would worsen economic hardship.

The coalition insisted that such industrial action was not about workers’ welfare but about protecting entrenched cartels.

Citing a recent court ruling barring PENGASSAN from cutting gas supply to the Dangote Refinery, the groups urged security agencies to enforce the judgment and prevent unions from holding Nigerians hostage.

They also rejected what they called attempts to force Dangote Refinery into union control, arguing that it was a private enterprise and should not be subjected to the dictates of labour organisations.

Suleiman’s coalition painted a grim picture of current economic realities—rising food prices, unaffordable transport costs, and families struggling to survive—and warned that further disruptions in petroleum supply would amount to “economic terrorism” against Nigerians.

In their resolutions, the groups condemned DAPPMAN’s alleged “anti-people agenda,” expressed strong support for Dangote Refinery and other local refiners, and announced plans to sue DAPPMAN for economic sabotage.

They vowed to continue mass rallies and international advocacy to expose what they described as cartel-driven manipulation of the petroleum sector.

The coalition also issued a warning to the government, urging President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly not to bow to pressure from petroleum marketers and unions.

“Any attempt to bend to DAPPMAN’s blackmail will be resisted by Nigerians,” they declared.