***Alleges Capitalist Conspiracy Amid Dangote Refinery Tensions
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has denounced a self-styled group parading as “Elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD)” branch, branding it fraudulent and illegal.
In a late-night statement signed by its President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union accused “unconscionable capitalists with filthy wealth” of sponsoring impostors to infiltrate and destabilize its ranks.
NUPENG insisted that its constitution recognizes only the duly elected PTD National Executive led by Comrade Augustine Egbon, stressing that there is no such forum as PTD Elders.
“These elements are paid agents deployed to deceive, mislead, and create confusion within the oil and gas sector. Any person or group operating under the banner of PTD Elders or PTD Leaders is fraudulent and criminal,” the union declared.
The leadership further warned the public, stakeholders, and the media to disregard any communication or directives from the so-called elders.
The union linked the emergence of the fake forum to a long-running battle with powerful business interests, pointing to its frosty relationship with the Dangote Refinery as context.
“The struggle to capture and destroy the soul of NUPENG did not start today. From the violent attack on our leaders in 2023 to the current blackmail, the pattern is the same—capitalists seeking to silence organized labour,” the statement read.
NUPENG urged the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies to treat the impersonators as criminals and prosecute them without delay.
“We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of these infiltrators. The attempt to undermine our union is not only an attack on NUPENG but also on the rights of Nigerian workers,” it added.
The latest warning comes as labour’s influence in the oil and gas sector faces pressure, with NUPENG and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in open disagreement with the Dangote Group over refinery operations and labour rights.