…calls for the arrest of culprits
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused some faceless groups of attempting to destabilise its ranks through the creation of a fictitious body under the name “Elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch.”
In a strongly worded statement released Sunday night by Williams Akporeha, the National President, and Afolabi Olawale, the General Secretary, the union dismissed the group as illegitimate and unknown to its constitution.
The union alleged that the so-called forum was being sponsored by “unconscionable Capitalists with filthy wealth” seeking to manipulate and mislead members of the public.
It further cautioned Nigerians and the media to steer clear of the group, which it described as “fraudulent, illegitimate, and acting with criminal intent.”
According to the union, the only constitutionally recognised leadership of the PTD remains that headed by Comrade Augustine Egbon.
The statement read in part, “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) issues this stern warning to all stakeholders, security agencies, the media, and the general public regarding the criminal and fraudulent activities of some faceless groups and individuals who are impersonating as leaders and elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.
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“It has come to our attention that these unscrupulous elements are operating under the non-existent and illegitimate banner of ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders’ to deceive, manipulate, mislead and create confusion within the oil and gas sector and the wider public.
“We wish to state clearly here, that these individuals are paid agents of unconscionable Capitalists with filthy wealth accumulated over the labour and sweat of workers who have been denied the right of freedom of association/unionism.”
The union recalled previous attacks allegedly sponsored against its leaders, including the November 1, 2023, assault in Abuja, for which suspects are currently standing trial.
Reaffirming its position, the union stressed, “The ONLY recognised and constitutionally elected Executive of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG is the leadership led by Comrade Augustine Egbon as its National Chairman.
“There is no known or recognized group within the PTD-NUPENG known as ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders.’ Any person or group operating under such a designation is fraudulent, illegitimate, and acting with criminal intent.”
The statement directed the public and stakeholders to ignore any correspondence from the group, warning that only the Egbon-led executive is authorised to speak for PTD.
It further urged security agencies, including the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS), to treat the self-styled PTD Elders as criminals.
“We demand the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of anyone involved in this fraudulent impersonation to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement concluded.
