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Tag: NUPENG

  • Dangote V NUPENG: “Keep your swords, let’s dialogue, DAPPMAN tells oil and gas unions

    Dangote V NUPENG: “Keep your swords, let’s dialogue, DAPPMAN tells oil and gas unions

    The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) has called on the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), to sheath their swords, avoid actions that could escalate the situation, and allow room for negotiations that will address concerns in a fair, balanced, and sustainable manner.

    The Association’s plea contained in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole on Sunday, noted that rising tension among stakeholders in the downstream oil and gas industry, and the possibility of an industrial action could disrupt national petroleum supply and distribution.

    NUPENG had alleged anti-labour practices against Dangote Refinery.

    It confirmed plans to begin a nationwide strike on Monday, September 8, 2025, after accusing Dangote Refinery management of allegedly fostering exploitative labour practices reminiscent of modern-day slavery.

    The Refinery has yet to respond to the allegation.

    PETROAN also announced plans to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products for three days beginning on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

    The association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this in Abuja.

    According to a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Obele, the association said the action would be effective at midnight on Tuesday if the consultations expected to be held from Sunday through Monday failed.

    It said the three-day shutdown was aimed at resisting monopolistic practices in the petroleum downstream sector and safeguarding workers’ rights.

    PETROAN noted that the action would be peaceful and lawful, restating its commitment to price stability and a productive industry.

  • Dangote V NUPENG: Oil and gas union vows to begin nationwide strike tomorrow

    Dangote V NUPENG: Oil and gas union vows to begin nationwide strike tomorrow

    … says DTCDA lacks power to speak for tanker drivers

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has reaffirmed its decision to begin an industrial action on Monday, declaring there will be no retreat no surrender.

    The strike is in protest against the management of Dangote Refinery for allegedly barring drivers of its imported Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks from joining any trade union.

    In a joint statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, NUPENG President Comrade Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Comrade Afolabi said the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the union would withdraw from lifting petroleum products nationwide.

    The union also dismissed a statement credited to Barrister Enoch Kanawa, President of the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), who claimed that NUPENG could not speak for tanker drivers and urged Nigerians to ignore the strike threat.

    According to NUPENG, the DTCDA is a creation of the Dangote Refinery management, designed to prevent truck drivers from joining the only statutorily recognized union for tanker drivers.

    The union emphasized that Barrister Kanawa, a lawyer and not a tanker driver, has no legitimacy to represent their members.

    The statement alleged that the Direct Trucking Company Limited, established by Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was set up to recruit drivers for the 10,000 CNG trucks being imported into the country.

    NUPENG vowed not to bow to what it described as “slavish conditions” being promoted in the oil industry.

    The attention of NUPENG leadership has been drawn to a news report on ARISE Television of September 6, 2025, and some national dailies, where a group calling itself Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) asked Nigerians to disregard our planned strike.

    We urge our members, the general public, and objective media platforms to dismiss these claims. The DTCDA was formed by Dangote Group as a compulsory association for its drivers instead of allowing them to join NUPENG, the only legally recognized union for tanker drivers.

    The so-called President of DTCDA, Barrister Enoch Kanawa, is not a tanker driver. He has previously served as Executive Secretary of NARTO (2001–2012), worked as Legal Adviser to MRS Energy, and even contested for NARTO’s presidency in 2019 under the sponsorship of Alhaji Sayyu Aliu Dantata, but lost. These facts confirm that DTCDA is management-inspired and designed to cause confusion. There is no division within NUPENG—our solidarity remains unshaken.”

    The statement further noted that the registered office of DTCDA is the same as that of MRS Energy Limited, describing it as another proof of the group’s origin.

    It concluded:
    Slavery ended centuries ago, but some capitalists are attempting to bring it back through restrictive working conditions. Any worker denied the right of association is no better than a slave. Nigerians must not encourage or support such practices.”

  • Dangote, NUPENG Face-off: NLC seeks Tinubu’s intervention

    Dangote, NUPENG Face-off: NLC seeks Tinubu’s intervention

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to promptly intervene in the face-off between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group,

    The congress specifically called on the President to call on the Dangote Group to comply with labour laws and international conventions.

    NLC made the call in a statement signed by its President, Mr Joe Ajaero, which was made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

    The statement was sequel to the announcement by NUPENG that it woukd commence a nationwide strike from Sunday, over what it described as  Dangote’s “anti-union practices, monopolistic agenda, and indecent industrial relations strategies.”

    Ajaero called on the President to “immediately call Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Sayyu Dantata to order” and impress on them to respect the nation and international law

    Ajaero added that the government must not look the other way while a few individuals privatise the nation’s energy future and enslave its workforce, stressing,

    The NLC President accused Dangote Group of exploiting Nigerian workers while disregarding their constitutional rights to unionise and bargain collectively.

    “The NLC unequivocally condemn the anti-union, anti-worker, and monopolistic practices of the Dangote Group and its affiliates.

    “Nigerian workers are not slaves and cannot be serially abused without consequences,” he said.

    Ajaero said the congress further demanded the immediate unionisation of Dangote Refinery and all its subsidiaries.

    Accordig to him, preparations are underway for a united resistance in solidarity with NUPENG, including possible industrial action.

    “If Dangote continues on this reckless anti-union path, we will move beyond words to action.

    “Our solidarity is not negotiable. We will fight because we must.

    “The working class must not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” he said.

  • Benue Govt begs NUPENG to end strike

    Benue Govt begs NUPENG to end strike

    The Benue State Government has urged the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to end its ongoing three-day warning strike and resume the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Deborah Aber, told newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi that the strike action was uncalled for.

    NUPENG, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO) embarked on a 3-day warning strike, shutting down all filling stations in Benue.

    Aber said that the government received a letter from NUPENG requesting the payment of over N40 million as compensation for the vandalised PMS tank in 2022.

    She said the government, upon receipt of the letter, wrote to the police and DSS to get full details of what transpired back then.

    The SSG said that the State Government strongly believed that the incident was purely a criminal one and the government was not involved.

    She said NUPENG wrote and informed the government of the incident that happened at Aliade in 2022.

    “In the letter, they were asking for payment over their 45,000 litres of PMS they lost through the activities of vandals in 2022 at Aliade.

    “We needed to sit down and look at the whole scenario and how it played out. Because to us it appeared it was a pure criminal case of theft and vandalism, and the government was not involved in it at all.

    “We have held several meetings with them. Surprisingly, we woke up today, and the stations were locked. The government, too, is surprised because we are still at the discussion table.

    “When we received the letter, we wrote to the police and DSS to furnish us with what happened that time.

    “In the letter, they were claiming payment of over N40m for the loss of their goods in 2022,” she said.

    According to her, investigation revealed that the unions embarked on the strike action in demand for the payment of 45,000 litres of fuel that was carted away from a tanker by hoodlums in Aliade, Gwer-East LG, in 2022.

    All efforts to get officials of the unions to comment on the strike prove abortive.

  • Niger tanker fire: What FG should do to stop such incidents – NUPENG

    Niger tanker fire: What FG should do to stop such incidents – NUPENG

    The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has appealed to the Federal Government to repair bad roads in the country to prevent incidents such as the tragic Niger State tanker fire.

    Mr Williams Akporeha, NUPENG President, said this in a statement jointly signed by Mr Afolabi Olawale, General Secretary of the union on Sunday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that on Saturday, a tanker carrying 60,000 litres of gasoline had an accident and exploded at the Dikko junction and at least 80 persons died and many others left battling for life.

    NUPENG while expressing sadness over the death of the people and the injured extended heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and communities affected by the tragic petroleum truck accident.

    “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives, the destruction of property, and the injuries sustained by many in this devastating incident.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones during this traumatic and challenging time.

    “The union takes this opportunity to urgently appeal to the Federal Government to repair bad roads to prevent such incidents.

    “The union will intensify efforts in sensitizirg the public about the dangers of scooping fuel from accidental situations of petroleum trucks on highways,” it said.

    The statement said that as a responsible organisation, NUPENG collaborated annually with relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Police, and State Traffic Management agencies, to train its drivers on road safety.

    It added that the union was committed to continuously training and retraining its members on best driving and safety practices.

    It therefore said the union would stand in solidarity with the affected families and the entire Dikko community in Niger State.

    “We commend the emergency responders who bravely extinguished the fire and rescued many injured victims.

    “We urge all relevant authorities to provide the necessary support and medical care to those injured and to take measures to prevent future tragedies.

    “May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their families find the strength to bear these irreparable losses,” it said.

  • PTD chides NUPENG for compelling units to pay N400k for seminar, says Osesua remains bona fide national chair

    PTD chides NUPENG for compelling units to pay N400k for seminar, says Osesua remains bona fide national chair

    National Chairman, Comrade Lucky Osesua, his deputy, Comrade Dayyabu Garga, and the National Secretary, Comrade Humble Obinna Power, as well as others within the fold of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have criticised the parent body for compelling every unit in the branch to pay N400,000 before participating in educational seminar which held in Ibadan between 17th and 18th of July, 2024.

    Osesua, Garga and Obinna repudiated NUPENG leaders for exhibiting extortionist tendencies by introducing needless educational seminar at a time when the citizens were faced with an austere economy.

    They urged stakeholders in the oil and gas sector including the Federal government of Nigeria to recognize them as the duly-elected executives of PTD.

    The trio made these remarks in a jointly signed statement on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

    The Tanker Drivers argued that the executives, which emerged at the National Delegates Conference in Abuja on Thursday, July 4, 2024, which is the venue recognized for the Branch’s convention, remained the authentic body.

    PTD said the “illegal leadership” that emerged from a Kangaroo election in Lagos was desperate to force stakeholders into accepting it.

    The PTD executives further stated that the leadership which the Lagos election purportedly produced on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 could not avail itself legitimacy by serially violating the sanctity of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria [NICN], Bayelsa and Abuja Divisions and other legal methods of conducting national delegates conference.

    The oil and gas union again noted that the Lagos election should be nullified, having flagrantly violated the guidelines laid down by the NICN on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, stressing that the leadership legitimacy should be handed to them (Osesua led faction), which followed due process and electoral guidelines in the interest of the impoverished members of the PTD that cut across the four zones in the country.

    The statement reads in part: “The vicious circle of extortion which has caused PTD members to be paupers and beggars despite their commitment to hardwork and national socio-economic growth must stop forthwith. Telling every Unit in the PTD Branch to pay N400,000 for a needless educational seminar is not only an act of extortion but a deliberate attempt to enslave our members more and make life miserable for them. Apart from what Gbolahan Adigun did in Lagos Zone at Ibadan to overstretch, manipulate and milk our members financially, Comrade Joseph Okafor is also calling for a zonal meeting at the Zonal Secretariat of the PTD Branch in Enugu on 25th and 26th of July, the same month of the purported Kangaroo Lagos election which is a move to bring additional financial burdens on our members. We therefore kick against this obnoxious move in its entirety and call for restraint.

    “Also, for the price we owe posterity, we truly believe in the rule of law in entrenching our legitimacy as duly elected national executives of PTD, therefore we won’t engage in any conduct that is unacceptable before the law. We also strongly rely on the strength of the unbiased position of the Court of competent jurisdiction on this matter, and have no doubt absolutely that justice will never elude us.

    “Contrary to the orders laid down by NICN Abuja, our members were intimidated, violated, harassed, disenfranchised and compelled to make choices against their wishes through adoption of option A-4. The process was also discriminatory, not all-inclusive, factions were not reconciled, queries, suspension letters etc were not revoked; the electoral and caretaker committees were not properly constituted as ordered by NICN Abuja. It is obvious that the outcome of Lagos Delegates Conference did not reflect the wishes and support of the majority and this outrightly gave legitimacy to the Abuja Delegates Conference where Lucky Osesua and his team emerged.

    “We equally use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government and other industry stakeholders in the Upstream, Mid-stream and downstream of petroleum sector to relate with us as the only legitimate, duly elected and constitutionally recognised executives of the PTD branch of NUPENG. Its a big shame that the national secretariat of NUPENG including the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale now find it difficult to hold a branch election that can be said to be free, fair, transparent and credible.

    “We as well found it instructive to state very clearly that what transpired in Lagos was a mere selection which is contrary to PTD bye-law and thankfully the judiciary is there for us to correct this wrong and set the record straight so that the union will not be placed on the verge of precipice, hence there is need for urgent paradigm shift to accentuate and engender industrial peace and harmony.

    “For the umpteenth time, PTD must be allowed to breathe such that its members could peacefully and conveniently be proud and better for what they are doing. The slave-master relationship needs to be obliterated in the nick of time. PTD is in dire need of employee-centric leadership that prioritizes the well-being and support of their members, both personally and professionally; leadership that demonstrates empathy, offer resources for work-life balance, and provide support during challenging times, fostering a culture of care, welfarist, resilience, and mutual respect.

    “Frankly, Tanker Drivers traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria through distribution and transportation of petroleum products and supply of gas to Nigerians in their homes, offices and factories need to be exposed to better working conditions under a legitimate, compassionate, detribalized, and effective leadership.”

  • Osesua remains our national chairman – PTD tells NUPENG, Egbon

    Osesua remains our national chairman – PTD tells NUPENG, Egbon

    The National leadership of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG, on Sunday, told Augustine Egbon, Afolabi Olawale, Williams Akporeha and Salimon Akanni Oladiti that their plot to remove Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Yusuf Dayyabu Garga as Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively of the PTD would woefully fail.

    The PTD described the plot as “an enterprise in futility.”

    The National Chairman, Osesua and the National Secretary, Humble Power Obinna of the PTD branch in a jointly signed statement on Sunday, advised NUPENG leadership to stop chasing shadows and concentrate on letting lasting peace reign in the union.

    They said that parading Augustine Egbon as the National Chairman of PTD was an affront on the side of the law and other constitutional guidelines known by the union.

    The duo also added that Gambo Tuge, who is a respected leader in PTD, remained law abiding and not a fugitive of the law and could not be labeled with unprintable names simply because he was protectimg the interest of the union through legitimate and decent means recognized by the law as well as International Labour Organisation (ILO)
    conventions guiding trade unionism.

    They also said that the election conducted in Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October, 2023, by the branch was the one recognized by law.

    The Abuja election, they said, subsequently produced Osesua, Garga, Obinna, Akinlolu and other executives.

    They equally stressed that those calling for fresh election had not breached any law, nor had they committed any crime.

    PTD also condemned the use of Police and other coercive forces to bully them into silence while also maintaining that police cannot be cajoled to fall for their vicious antics by intimidating, victimizing, oppressing and frustrating them through blackmail, forum chopping/trumped-up charges and propaganda.

    The statement read, “Our attention has again been drawn to a misleading report populated in the media by elements who are against the progress and success of NUPENG as well as petroleum tanker drivers branch of the Union and these individuals are clearly known as Afolabi Olawale (General Secretary), Williams Akporeha (President), Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti (National Trustee) and Augustine Egbon.

    “They cannot foist on the rest of us Egbon as the National Chairman; it is not only illegal but also totally disgraceful to what trade unionism stands for and the rule of law. Moreover, the Union is bigger than anyone. The ILO conventions and other extant rules and ethics are very clear about this.

    “Those seeking to harass, intimidate or trying to remove Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Yusuf Dayyabu Garga from the position of National Chairman and Deputy National Chairman respectively, are engaging in what we can call an enterprise in futility because they were validly elected by the great and hardworking members of PTD as stipulated in the union’s rules, guidelines and by-laws.

    “Our election duly conducted in Abuja on Tuesday, 31st October, 2023, is the one recognized by law which subsequently produced Osesua, Garga, Obinna, Akinlolu, and other executives. The illegal leadership under Augustine Egbon could not avail itself legitimacy by serially violating the sanctity of our Branch’s bye-law and other legal methods of conducting Delegates Conference.

    “On the allegation that the rules of conducting elections were amended, the question Nigerians should ask is, is it possible for one man to change the rules one hour to the election or inauguration? Where was the amendment printed?

    “Meanwhile, the previous Police invitation of all our national executives is the height of the NUPENG’s leadership’s desperation to force Osesua out of office. This has also failed, because Police as a law-abiding federal security agent, now know the truth. Extrapolating a police invitation of anyone, despite their status, is itself an invitation to lawlessness and anarchy, which permeated the long but ineffective rule of Afolabi and his ilk in NUPENG.

    “Police cannot be cajoled to fall for their vicious antics by intimidating, victimizing, oppressing and frustrating us, Afolabi, Williams and Oladiti attempt to blackmail us and engage in forum shopping/trumped-up charges and propaganda had failed ab initio. They should stop chasing shadows.

    “Similarly Gambo Tuge who is a respected member of the union is not a fugitive of the law, he is law abiding, calling him unprintable names will not change anything and his position that there is need for an election to be conducted in PTD is not an error or aberration therefore such legitimate move cannot be criminalised under any guise.

    “Permit us to also put on record that the Federal ministry of Labour and Employment tried to serve as an arbiter in this matter to create lasting peace, but NUPENG leadership refused to honour an invitation to broker truce. The elders and veterans of our union (past General Secretaries and Presidents) also called for a meeting; these purported leaders also did not show up, which only shows that they are benefiting from current crisis at the expense of the members, staff members and other stakeholders.

    “We therefore urge all members of our branch across the four zones to remain law abiding while we also assure them of victory which is near. We would not rest on our oars but will remain resolute to grant freedom and dignity to them all in the nick of time.

    “We further use this medium to call on all law enforcement agents in the country, including Police and DSS to give closer look to NUPENG and ensure that sanity is restored and forthwith stop Afolabi, Akporeha and Oladiti from giving strength to an impostor and stooge who came in through a kangaroo election in Ibadan against the will of our members.

    “We maintain our clarion call that PTD should be allowed to breathe and survive.

    “Thank you all and long live PTD.”

    Signed:

    Comrade Lucky Osesua
    PTD National Chairman

    Comrade Humble Power Obinna
    PTD National Secretary

  • Tanker drivers protest, seek break away from NUPENG +Photos

    Tanker drivers protest, seek break away from NUPENG +Photos

    By Wevole Ezin

    Tanker drivers in Calabar under the auspices of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD) have protested demanding for brake away from their mother union (National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers Association)over alleged high-handedness.
    The over fifty placard carrying members of the union with inscriptions such as; “NUPENG leave PTF alone, NUPENG are drivers enemy, Afolabi and Oladiti are our problems” said bad leadership was impinging on the activities of the union.

    Addressing Journalists yesterday (Monday) in Càlabar, during the protest spokespersons of PTD, Cross River State branch, Ibrahim Osa, and his counterpart Abdulahi Adamu, at the NNPC tank farm Esukutang, Càlabar, rejected imposition of PTD executives.

    “Over 40 of our members are suffering in prison curstordy without nobody coming to their rescue or making attempt to intervene in their cases.
    “Driver on the Wheels are dying, NUPENG cannot select any Chairman for us.

    “Afolabi and Oladiti and our problem. NUPENG are cheating us. We used to do elections in the past, now election period has come Afolabi and co want to impose non driver on us as Chairman.

    “As drivers we have driven for with nothing to show. NUPENG show allow us to conduct our elections”. The duo stated.

    They accused NUPENG of imposing farmers and carpenters on them even when these people have nothing to do with tanker drivers.

    PTD insisted that they are interested to join National Association of Road Transport Owners (NATO), stressing that they have been working with no insurance coverage.

    Reacting to the protest in a telephone conversation, representative of NUPENG, Mr. Peter Joshua, simply stated that NUPENG was not aware of any protest that took place in Càlabar by the association.

  • PTD national chair, Osesua, urges members to shun sponsored solidarity march in Lagos

    PTD national chair, Osesua, urges members to shun sponsored solidarity march in Lagos

    The National leadership of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG, under the control of Comrade Lucky Osesua has decried fresh plot by the Lagos Zone of PTD to stage a sponsored solidarity march.

    The PTD said that the sponsored solidarity march was a ploy to cajole members into declaring their support for an illegitimate faction led by a pretender to the union’s leadership and a desperate impostor, Augustine Egbon.

    According to the National Secretary of PTD, Comrade Humble Obinna Power, they got a hint late Tuesday night that PTD Lagos Zone had lured major marketers to bring forty drivers with trucks to the Zone in order to embark on a solidarity march.

    According to him: “This directive did not come from us, the authentic and legitimate national leadership of PTD and it is important for us to reiterate that. We have just one PTD in Nigeria and the only constitutionally recognised National Chairman in the eye of the law is Comrade Lucky Osesua.”

    He also stated that a huge amount of money had been set aside to reward participating drivers.

    He noted that their so-called solidarity activities would be captured audio-visuaally to give an impression that Augustine Egbon was still in power and that NUPENG and PTD were one.

    This gambit, according to him, was misleading, even as he called on members to reject the plot outright.

    He added that no tanker drivers in Lagos or anywhere else should fall for the gambit of the Lagos Zone or any other Zones, while also assuring them that Osesua was committed to take them out of slavery into freedom and succor.

    He stressed that victory was near, and that members should not be discouraged.

    Below is the statement in full:

    “The National leadership of PTD under the control of Comrade Lucky Osesua has renewed its strength to bequeath freedom and new lease of life to all Tanker Drivers across the four Zones of the Branch while also assuring that victory at the Court is very near to push out all impostors who are parading themselves as leaders of PTD, especially Augustine Egbon who came in through a Kangaroo election that lacks legitimacy.

    “However, to make our effort easier for victory through the instrumentality of the law, we implore all Tanker Drivers in Lagos Zone of PTD or anywhere else not to partake in any solidarity walk scheduled to hold on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.

    “We have gathered from good authority such ploy was a gambit being orchestrated by some elements of deceit and desperation to coerce members into embracing their misadventure.

    “We got a hint late Tuesday night that PTD Lagos Zone has lured major marketers to bring fourty drivers with trucks to the Zone so as to embark on a solidarity movement. We also gathered that huge amount of money had been set aside to reward participating drivers and the activities will be captured audio-virtually to give an impression to the public that Petroleum Tanker Drivers are in support of William Akporeha, Afolabi Olawale, Otunba Oladiti, Augustine Egbon and their cohorts.

    This shenanigan is to clear their face from the public disgrace they received from Tanker Drivers in Lagos recently. This will not stop the movement of liberation from oppression that Tanker Drivers have decided to embark on. Let’s all stand firm as our freedom is guaranteed in this struggle for liberation from Oladiti and his league of tyrants. We shall all overcome and PTD will be great again. Their vicious attempt is not only embar but ridiculous and we beg our members to reject this plot in its entirety without waste of time.

    “Please note also that no Tanker Drivers in Lagos or anywhere else should fall for the gambit of Lagos Zone or any other Zone as the case may be. Be assured that Comrade Lucky Osesua is committed to take PTD members out of slavery and replace it with freedom and succor, and please note that victory is near and we urge no members to be deterred or discouraged.

    Signed:

    Comrade Humble Obinna Power,
    National Secretary PTD Branch of NUPENG”

  • Update: Protesters block Adigun, factional Chairman PTD Lagos Zone, from Ejigbo depot as Osesua-led PTD gains control+Video

    Update: Protesters block Adigun, factional Chairman PTD Lagos Zone, from Ejigbo depot as Osesua-led PTD gains control+Video

    Protesters on Thursday barricaded the entry to NNPC depot in Lagos State, preventing the factional Chairman of Lagos Zone of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG, Saheed Gbolahan Adigun and his entourage from gaining access to the facility.

    The protesters, who were said to be loyal to the Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga faction of PTD, said they could no longer subject themselves to the leadership of Augustine Egbon who they claimed had betrayed them and turned them to slaves in the hands of their parent body (NUPENG).

    The angry PTD members also decried the manner with which armed security agents came to the facility, noting that if there was any case of accidental discharge on Thursday or pulling of the trigger by an impulsive operative, the situation could have made the depot to go up in flames.

    They further alleged that Adigun’s intention was to impose a caretaker committee on them on Thursday while also refusing to conduct fresh election that would usher in fresh leadership at the unit in line with Branch’s guidelines.

    They also said should he succeed, revenue generated at the depot would be siphoned with no one having the courage to ask questions.

    Captured in a video clip, the protesters were shouting in Yoruba language “Ole” “Ole” (meaning thief, thief) were not deterred by the heavy presence of armed military operatives that came in with the convoy of the zonal Chairman to provide cover for him and those who rode in the white PTD branded Toyota Hiace bus with Lagos number plate, AP542VP.

    Members of PTD at the NNPC Ejigbo unit, as gathered, were unhappy with the manner in which the union was being managed by the current leadership of both PTD Lagos Zone and the National leadership of NUPENG

    They were reported to have claimed that since Gbolahan attained office as Chairman of the Zone, there had been no record of transparency or accountability on all the resources being generated by the tanker drivers in the Zone.

    “Our protest is going on peacefully today on Thursday. We don’t want Gbolahan and his people here in Ejigbo Depot; he has betrayed us; he should explain to us where he takes our money being generated every week to. We can’t be working here under the sun and rain, and you will be taking our money to Ibadan every week. He can’t impose caretaker committee here, we won’t allow them, we want election, we want to freely choose those who will lead us without rancour. Enough is enough.

    “See them bringing soldiers with arms and ammunition to silence, intimidate, harass, victimise, and bully us.

    The same thing we see at the Lagos Zone every day, we have Naval officers with ammunition manning the secretariat. How many of us can they kill? Is this the way union is run? They have lost their legitimacy; thats why they are bringing soldiers to foist their leadership on us, and that can never work.

    This is not the same union that late Frank Kokori, Akinlaja, Okuogbo, Akpatason, Igwe Achese built. I wonder why EFCC, ICPC, NFIU etc hasn’t come to look at NUPENG shoddy financial records all this while.

    “How on earth can you bring armed security agents to a petrol depot that houses highly inflammable products? What if there was a case of accidental discharge on Thursday or that a trigger-happy personnel pulled his trigger? The whole depot could have gone up in flames and lives and properties in the depot, and its environs could have been jeopardized.

    “This is not the type of union that should be running our affairs; all they do is to loot our resources, impoverish our members and make them look like slaves and beggars, while they are building filing stations, mansions, hotels, parks and buying cars for their women and sending their children abroad to school. Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga are leaders who mean well for the union. These are the type of people we can trust in the leadership of the Union. Workers inside the tank farm have joined the protest as we speak,” Faleti Taoreed, one of the organisers, said.

    “Nobody is going in and out of the facility, we cannot support leaders who can’t protect our interests. We are the foot soldiers, yet they don’t reward our hard work. They are thieves. Akporeha, Afolabi, and Otunba should leave us alone and retire from the union immediately,” he said.

    The crisis rocking NUPENG has been in the news since November 2023 as the Lucky Osesua-led faction has consistently condemned the posture of its parent union, which they said had been hijacked by the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, who they claimed is engaged in forum shopping, blackmail, contempt of Court and using sentiments to foist on Tanker Drivers, Federal Government and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry the leadership of Augustine Egbon, which is against the wishes of PTD members.

    See video below: