Petroleum Tanker Drivers, an affiliate union of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, has disassociated itself from a group known as the PTD Elders. The union described the group as “fake impostors” hired to cause disruption within the organization. This development comes amid an ongoing feud between the union and Dangote Refinery over the unionization of the refinery’s workers.
According to Comrade Bashir Izalan, a representative of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, the group claiming to be PTD Elders is not recognized within the union’s hierarchy. He emphasized that the only acknowledged national chairman is Comrade Egbon, whose leadership has been transparent and inclusive. Izalan also highlighted the benefits of being a member of the union, including access to insurance and medical treatment.
Itanola Abiodun, another representative, appealed to security agents to investigate and prosecute the individuals behind the PTD Elders group, stating that they do not belong to the union and are attempting to cause chaos. He explained that legitimate union members have a clear affiliation with a unit and zone, whereas the impostors cannot specify their unit or zone.
The dispute between the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and Dangote Refinery has been ongoing, with the union previously embarking on a strike that was later intervened by the federal government. However, Dangote Refinery recently obtained an interim court order to prevent the union from taking industrial action against the company.
The union’s president and general secretary, Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, had earlier issued a statement warning the public and security agents about the PTD Elders Forum, characterizing them as infiltrators with sinister motives. The union’s stance is that the PTD Elders group is attempting to destabilize the genuine leadership of the Tanker Drivers Branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.
The situation highlights the tensions between the union and Dangote Refinery, with the union seeking to protect the interests of its members and the refinery aiming to maintain its operations without disruption. As the dispute continues, it remains to be seen how the parties involved will resolve their differences and address the issues at hand.
