By Bonaventure Melah

Hundreds of Nigerians have taken to social media to attack a senior lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, for supporting the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), to embark on nationwide strike against Dangote Refineries, following a dispute over membership of NUPENG.

It would be recalled that Dangote Refineries announced its acquisition of 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) operated trucks for free distribution of its petroleum products, especially premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol across the country. the company also embarked on recruitment of thousands of drivers to drive the CNG trucks, saying the aim is to ensure that Nigerians get petroleum products with ease and at relatively low price as part of its contribution to the nation’s economic growth and in line with Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

However, NUPENG said the CNG truck drivers must join the Union which led to a dispute with HUPENG declaring nationwide strike which commenced Monday with minimal compliance.

According to some media platforms, Falana declared support for NUPENG and urged the Union to go ahead with the planned strike. He also called on the Federal Government to intervene on the matter with a view of curbing the excesses of Dangote.

In a statement he released, Falana said the policy of the Dangote Group contravene Section 40 of the Constitution, Section 12 of the Trade Union Act, and Article 10 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

But reacting to the statement, Nigerians descended on Falana with many calling him names that are not decent enough to be printed on our platform, while others said he was a cash-and-carry lawyer who is ready to accept brief from even the most unexpected clients as long as money is involved.

There were many who responded to Falana’s reference to the constitution, telling him that NUPENG had no rights to demand compulsory membership of NUPENG from Dangote’s CNG truck drivers, as according to them, the same Nigerian constitution provided for freedom of association.

Yet other respondents challenged Falana to tell Nigerians what unions like NUPENG and others have contributed to the nation’s economic growth, including employment, adding that Dangote should be respected and pampered for his massive contributions to the overall wellbeing of the country though job creation, payment of huge taxes and his recent intervention which has helped in ending wastages through payment of petroleum subsidies, sufficient petrol availability and steady reduction in petrol prices, among others.

One of newspaper reports on Falana’s statement has attracted over 2,000 responses in the past three days with most of them criticizing the lawyer and saying Nigerians need to breath some fresh air from NUPENG and other trade union groups that have contributed in causing untold hardship on the people, over the years.

Here are a few of the many responses:

Ojo Stephen Dare

No, I disagree with the Senior Advocate. Considering all that that association has made Nigerians to go through in the past I will prefer Dangote drivers not to join the body.

Adeoye Akinola

Falana has forgotten his law book at law. I’m not a lawyer bt in Nigeria law book there’s “Freedom of Association “. If am correct.

Adeola Fehintola

Where is freedom of Assembly and Association….. It doesn’t include forceful membership of an association either?

Olushola Olayanju

Falana, where do you stand? Is it with the suffering masses or the exploiters? Na wa for this SAN 000.

Umar Ali

It’s not by force to joins any so-called unions we have freedom of association by the constitution of Nigeria

Mathew Edaghese

Falana should go and advise his client, (NUPENG) properly.

Chris Amaechi Obi

Oga, subsidy is removed. So it a free market economy.

Peter Chukwuma Godwin Pechu-Pechu

Unionism is not by force. There should be freedom to either join or not join. He employed Dem and has the power to bring out the terms and conditions for the drivers. If you don’t like it, you don’t take the job. Capitalist are not father Christmas

Adekola Dedeke

Freedom of association….once the drivers agree with the employer’s rules and regulations at the entry point. Wetin be NUPENG’ s business?

Abiodun Doyinbo

Dangote said he didn’t want union, so anyone that wants to work there must abide with the rules and regulations. If you know you want union go and establish your company and go to union. The person that employed you is your master not union chairman.

Yusuf Adewale Adetoyese

It’s a private firm and I think Dangote has some right to block his workers from joining whatever unions. A popular newspaper in Nigeria forbids her journalists from joining the NUJ too.

Osaretin Dickson

Am begining to think this Man is Under the Payroll of Tinubu…

Mustapha Ayoola Olasupo

Dangote has the right not to allow his employees tanker drivers not to join any union.

Tunde Valentine

If not that the company has evil intentions, y should joining union be their worries. In advanced countries, unions are recognised and legalised. If wayo never enter they never rest.

Hope Esharegharan

If they won’t sign then add re to the sign. Resign.Reply

Zayyanu Musa Zams

Who is falana please

Ajibade Adepeju Olakunle

That it is business, and not government.

Ayoade Ayuba

NUPENG should be bothered on how our Refinery should work, they are the one working there, leave private owners alone to run their company the way they want, the ones they are controlling is not working.

Lukman Adewale

The union have been infilterated by the cabals in govt or political party.. Dangote won’t be able to control dem at the long run, imagine u can’t control people you r paying salary, if dem join union the essence of having Private Refinery is useless c…

Michael Oleke

I disagree with you oga, is the union a cult? Is it by force to join the union 🤔. What is all this in this country

Adeomo Olowonigba

Why not allow peace to reign.

Wancheslus Chidiebele Troopa

I don’t understand why NUPENG is interfering in another man’s business…They should start importation and allow Dangote to do his business…NUPENG and their greediness is part of the problem we are facing in oil sector.

Olawale Muritala Walex

NUPENG should also stop anti Nigeria practice

Awoleke Ike Awobotu

Content creator has spoken again.

Abah Emmanuel

what will benefit his people he side.

This is the only medium w…

Piper Alomzo

Hot 🔥 air machine…freedom of association nko….checkoff dues go kpai nupeng ….egunje unionism….second bass oooooooojare

Odofin Odofin

How many tanker driver’s did Nupeng employed 4 Godsake?

Lowu Arije

Fighting selfishly for his pocket than national interest.

Aishida Nurudeen Dayour

Baba always support where money will come out basically that’s his profession

Ganiyu Olahan

Sowere’s senior brother!

Newton Dor

Is Union compulsory ? Is it a must constitutionally to join any group ? I don’t know why a SAN talks like a drop out

Folorunso Fanawopo

See this old man o ,there’s freedom of association in the constitution of the country, please let us breathe, ride on Dangote the people are with you

Femi Smith

If they join the union, Dangote’s objective buying those trucks and employing them as drivers is forfeited and jeopardized. He bought the trucks to make fuel available when Nupeng embark on strike or if there is fuel scarcity in the nation or part of the country.

Labre Olakunleoni

Which union they leave their job go do union outside please

Honest Yahaya

How much they gave you

Elder Alawode Damilare Samuel

Ookay ookay ookay

Salaudeen Kola

This one always support negative things.

John Oladunni

Useless man

TJ Ampitan

This is annoying to see.

Musbau Kolawale

Why this man de always opposite

Jafar Suleman

Indeed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria

Ola Apata Omoh

What has union done in our country lives!!

Gee Kay

I doubt I would ever want to be on Falana’s side on anything.

Olukorede Junaid

How many does this man have in his chamber and business?

Gossiping is paying

Day just breaks

Anie Kan

Falana you are on your own on this. Comot body for that matter

Olorundajo Segun

If want to hear his voice righly or wrongly, just be against the government. That’s what gives them prominence in the public space..

Adeniran Oladunjoye

Hope this message was really from SAN? Highly disgusting

Best Tower Yaksb

Baba I no support you for this one sir

Fred Alabi

E be like say this Baba don dey get amnesia

Ebenezer Bilewu

Did you have or allow Union in your business Lawyer Fasano.

Aminu Al-Ameen Omatrustee

Na so dem force civil servants to join NLC NUT, ASUU etc and up till date, the unions can’t fight for full implementation of minimum wage for their members. What’s the essence of joining existing union?

Unions wey Government go dey turn up and down as they want.

Bashar Adebowale Olla

This man is hypocrite, is Dangote not own is company or is there any law say he has no right to that, nonsense

Ayoade Ayuba

Jobs is been created and they want to unionize it, if u must join union then don’t take the job, what has NUPENG done about those idol worker in NNPC/Refinary collecting huge wages doing nothing. We are beginning to enjoy stability of petroleum produc…

Ndirmbula Bello

NUPENG has been destroying Nigeria economy for long

Germane Abiola

They have been Nupenging and Pengasoning for years and yet they destroyed the oil section completely. They are all working at Government refinery for years collecting salaries while the refinery is not refining a liter of crude oil. Dangote refinery is…

Sopuruchi Moses Anyigor

Falana should stay awa

Akinrosoye Isaac

Most of these unionism created lots of havoc for final consumers by unnecessary pricing increasing

Emmanuel Obafemi

Freedom of association

Abraham Atuluku Joseph

Pls oga leave dangote to do as he wish, how many have u employed. This nupeng u are talking about they are d problem of fuel scarciy many years ago. It’s not a good organization. D drivers should work without union for the betterment of Nigerians. If n…