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DAPPMAN’s demand of ₦75 per litre for coastal freight self-serving – CSOs

Published

5 days ago

September 26, 2025

Cyril Ogar

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF) on Friday accused the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) of seeking to exploit citizens and plunge the nation back into subsidy fraud.

According to the civil society groups, DAPPMAN’s demand of ₦75 per litre for coastal freight and ops cost, translating to ₦1.505 trillion, is self-serving and nothing but greed. While calling on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to beam its searchlight on DAPPMAN, as the activities are undermining local refining, sabotaging Dangote Refinery from the start and threatening the Federal Government’s Reform Agenda.

The CSOs made this known in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman and Mrs. Grace Okonkwo, President and National Secretary of COCSON, respectively; As well as Rev. Dr. Matthew Ayodele and Imam Musa Abdullahi, National Chairman and Secretary of NIF, respectively, in Abuja.

The concerns raised by the group were accompanied by a protest march in the nation’s capital on Friday, September 26, 2025.

While backing the Dangote Refinery’s genuine efforts in transforming the Petroleum Industry, the groups vowed to file a suit against DAPPMAN in the Federal High Court for economic sabotage, conspiracy, and deliberate attempt to reintroduce subsidy through the backdoor.

The statement reads: “We condemn the shameful attempt by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) to blackmail Nigerians into paying a backdoor subsidy of ₦1.505 trillion annually.

“This demand is not just outrageous; it is treachery against the Nigerian people. It is economic sabotage disguised as business.

“At such a critical time, for DAPPMAN to demand that Nigerians underwrite their inefficiencies with ₦1.5 trillion yearly is nothing but wickedness. It would rob our hospitals of funding, deny schools resources, cripple infrastructure development, and keep our nation shackled to poverty. This is not subsidy — it is extortion.”

On why DAPPMAN must be checked by the government, the groups maintained that the body had become a national threat.

“They Undermine Local Refining: Dangote Refinery has exported over 3.2 million metric tonnes of refined products in three months, proving capacity. Meanwhile, DAPPMAN imported 3.6 million metric tonnes, promoting dumping and sabotaging Nigeria’s economy.

“They Sabotaged Dangote from the Start: When Dangote Refinery was completed, the refinery had over 500 million litres of products in stock, and Dangote himself had to plead publicly with NNPC, marketers, and transporters to patronize him. Instead, they deliberately imported products from abroad to frustrate his operations.

“Faced with this sabotage, Dangote was forced to buy over 4,000 trucks to enter the oil transport sector. Who pushed him into this? Not Nigerians, but the very marketers and transporters now crying foul.

“Today, these same actors accuse him of chasing them out of the market to create a monopoly. Where is the monopoly?

“They abandoned him, tried to strangle his refinery, and left him no option but to strategize for survival. If they are not careful, he may enter retailing, and then he will fully integrate production, transport, and retail. That is not a monopoly; that is resilience and strategy in the face of cartel sabotage.

“They Threaten Tinubu’s Reform Agenda: Entertaining such demands would roll back the government’s courageous removal of fuel subsidy and tarnish Nigeria’s international credibility.

“Fellow Nigerians, this is not just a fight for Dangote Refinery. This is a fight for Nigeria’s future. This is a battle between nation-builders and nation-wreckers, between patriots and profiteers, between hope and despair.

“DAPPMAN’s demand for ₦1.505 trillion subsidy is a declaration of war on the Nigerian people. Our response is clear: we will resist, we will mobilise, we will litigate, and we will not rest until this cartel is defeated.

“We urge the Federal Government to stand firm, Nigerians to stand united, and Dangote Refinery to stand strong. Together, we will ensure that no group, no cartel, and no vested interest will derail Nigeria’s refining revolution.”

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PBAT Door 2 Door Movement Congratulate Nigeria on 65th Independence

Published

2 hours ago

October 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, the PBAT Door 2 Door Movement has joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the nation’s resilience, unity, and democratic journey.

Speaking during the commemorative event, the National Coordinator of the Movement, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi Asuku, underscored the significance of the anniversary, describing it as “an incredible milestone that reflects our strength as a people and our unity in diversity.”

“As a nation, we celebrate our founding fathers, our fallen heroes, and all past leaders whose sacrifices laid the foundation for the freedom we enjoy today,” Asuku said. “Without their labor and effort, we would not be where we are.”

The Movement, which operates under the grand patronage of High Chief Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), has been at the forefront of mobilizing grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration across the country.

Reaffirming its commitment to national unity, peace, and development, the PBAT Door 2 Door Movement urged Nigerians to shun corruption, banditry, and insecurity, stressing that only through collective effort can the nation attain greatness.

“As we celebrate 65 years of independence, let us promote peace, unity, growth, and development. Let us rally behind President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Nigeria shall be great again if we work together as one people with one destiny,” Asuku emphasized.

The group also paid glowing tribute to President Tinubu, describing him as the Commander-in-Chief who embodies the vision of a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.

The anniversary celebration, the Movement noted, is not just a remembrance of the past but also a call to action for every Nigerian to contribute to the nation’s progress.

“Let us forge ahead. There must be a way forward. Nigeria will only move higher if we remain united,” Asuku added.

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