A coalition of civil society organisations has accused the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, of engaging in “blackmail” over recent claims linking rising fuel prices to the operations of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The group, operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice (CCSG), criticised HURIWA’s stance as “malicious, inconsistent and misleading,” alleging a sharp reversal from its earlier support for the refinery.
In a statement signed by the its National Coordinator, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the coalition said HURIWA had previously described the Dangote Refinery as a “national asset” deserving protection, but had now turned around to label it a “monopoly,” questioning the credibility of the organisation’s advocacy.
The coalition argued that attributing rising fuel costs to the refinery reflects a poor understanding of global market dynamics, noting that international crude oil prices have surged significantly in recent weeks due to geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East.
According to the statement, blaming a domestic refinery for price fluctuations driven by global supply shocks is “misleading and economically unsound.”
It further criticised HURIWA for failing to address longstanding inefficiencies and losses associated with Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
The group also alleged that HURIWA’s position aligns with the interests of fuel importers, claiming that criticisms of the Dangote Refinery could undermine efforts to achieve energy self-sufficiency in Nigeria.
Raising concerns about the motives behind the statements, the coalition called on relevant authorities to scrutinise the activities and funding sources of advocacy groups making what it described as “incendiary claims” about critical national infrastructure.
It also urged the media to approach such statements with caution and to prioritise balanced reporting in the ongoing debate over fuel pricing and the role of the Dangote Refinery.
Reaffirming its support for the refinery, the coalition described it as a strategic national investment and a key component of Nigeria’s energy security framework.
