The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has denied allegations that it is using law enforcement and the courts to settle internal leadership disputes. Union national president Williams Akporeha made the statement during a trial at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The case involves 21 former leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG, who face charges of attempted murder, breach of public peace and assault. Among the defendants are former PTD national chairman Lucky Osesua and other senior members, all of whom have pleaded not guilty.
Akporeha, testifying as the second prosecution witness, asserted that NUPENG remains a unified body, not divided into rival factions. He explained that the PTD branch held an executive election in June 2022, which the National Industrial Court later nullified. A fresh election was ordered, but two subsequent elections were also nullified. Consequently, NUPENG conducted another election in Ibadan, which Akporeha described as the legitimate one. He rejected claims that any group within the union was using police or courts against another to resolve internal disputes, emphasizing that NUPENG is a single entity comprising 150 branches, including the PTD.
The trial underscores ongoing internal conflicts within NUPENG, marked by multiple elections and court battles over the legitimacy of the PTD branch’s leadership. Different factions continue to vie for control, and the outcome of the case will likely influence the union’s leadership and internal dynamics. Observers are closely monitoring the proceedings, awaiting the court’s decision on the charges against the 21 defendants and its potential impact on the union’s future.
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