GRIDLOCK ON ASABA–ONITSHA BRIDGE AS PROTESTERS BACK DANGOTE REFINERY
By: Safiya Abdulrahim Dabban
Thousands of protesters from across Nigeria on Friday blocked the Asaba–Onitsha Niger Bridge, demanding government support for local refineries, especially the Dangote Refinery.
The rally, organized by the Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP), brought traffic to a standstill for hours as demonstrators waved placards reading: “Stop Petroleum Importation Now”, “Encourage Local Refineries”, and “Dangote Refinery is a Blessing to Our Economy.”
Security personnel were deployed to maintain peace as student, youth, and civil society leaders condemned what they called “oil cartel sabotage” in the petroleum sector.
PANEP convener Comrade Danesi Momoh thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting local refining and urged continued action against sabotage and fair crude supply to local plants.
He said the movement aimed to defend the Dangote Refinery and free Nigeria’s oil sector from “unpatriotic cartels.” Speakers at the rally accused groups like PENGASSAN and NUPENG of frustrating progress and declared their leaders “public enemies.”
Other activists, including Comrades Olamide Odumosu, Adeyeye Olugbenga, and Igwe Ude-umanta, pledged continued mobilization to protect local industries and jobs.
The protest followed similar rallies in Abuja and Kaduna, marking what organizers described as a “national economic salvation movement.”