Amidst its ongoing conflict with the management of Dangote Refinery, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised serious concerns about a faction attempting to fracture its solidarity by promoting a fabricated entity known as the Elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.
In a press release issued late Sunday, Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, the National President and General Secretary of NUPENG respectively, condemned this group, emphasizing that no such forum is sanctioned by the Union’s Constitution. They highlighted that these shadowy operatives, described as “ruthless capitalists with ill-gotten wealth,” are orchestrating this deception to confuse, manipulate, and mislead both the oil and gas industry and the general populace.
The statement urged the public and media outlets to exercise caution regarding the so-called PTD Elders, labeling the group as fraudulent, unauthorized, and driven by malicious motives. NUPENG reaffirmed that the only constitutionally recognized National Chairman of the PTD branch is Augustine Egbon.
Excerpt from the statement reads: “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) hereby issues a firm warning to all relevant parties, including security agencies, media, and the public, about the illicit activities of certain anonymous groups and individuals falsely claiming to represent the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.”
“We have uncovered that these deceitful actors operate under the fictitious titles ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders’ with the intent to mislead, manipulate, and sow discord within the oil and gas sector and among the wider community. These individuals are, in fact, agents funded by unscrupulous capitalists whose wealth has been amassed through the exploitation and suppression of workers’ rights to unionize and associate freely.”
“These agents have repeatedly attempted to discredit and destabilize NUPENG and its PTD branch through misinformation and blackmail. The ongoing campaign to undermine the integrity and purpose of NUPENG and the PTD branch by these capitalists and their proxies has been persistent but unsuccessful, thanks to the vigilance and resilience of our dedicated members and leaders. Notably, the violent assault on our Union’s leadership in Abuja on November 1, 2023, remains a stark example of these hostile efforts, with the culprits currently facing prosecution at the FCT High Court.”
“It is crucial to inform the public that the current smear campaign against NUPENG is merely a continuation of these malicious attempts to dismantle the Union at any cost.”
“Moreover, NUPENG unequivocally states: The sole constitutionally elected Executive of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch is headed by Comrade Augustine Egbon as National Chairman.”
“There exists no officially recognized group within PTD-NUPENG known as ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders.’ Any entity operating under these names is illegitimate, fraudulent, and acting with criminal intent.”
“Therefore, NUPENG issues the following directives: To the General Public and Media: Ignore any communications, orders, or requests from individuals claiming to represent a ‘PTD Elders’ group. Do not engage with them.”
“To All Stakeholders: All official interactions with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers must be conducted exclusively through the recognized PTD office led by Comrade Augustine Egbon.”
“To Security Agencies: We call upon the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant security bodies to treat these impersonators as criminals. We demand their prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
