The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned that individuals are impersonating leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch. In a statement, National President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale said the impostors are operating under the name “PTD‑Elders” and are allegedly paid agents of capitalists seeking to disrupt the union. NUPENG stressed that this group is not recognised by the union’s constitution and is acting with fraudulent and criminal intent.
The union cautioned the public and media to be wary of this illegitimate group, noting that the only recognised PTD leadership is the chairmanship of Augustine Egbon, as stipulated in NUPENG’s constitution. NUPENG called on security agencies—including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services—to arrest and prosecute those involved in the impersonation. According to the union, the impostors aim to deceive the public, manipulate perceptions, and destabilise both the union and the oil‑and‑gas sector.
This warning comes amid heightened tensions between NUPENG and the management of Dangote Refinery. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) recently announced a nationwide strike against the refinery after more than 800 workers who joined the union were dismissed. PENGASSAN instructed its members to cut gas and crude supplies to the refinery, a move that Dangote Refinery labelled economic sabotage.
These developments underscore the ongoing labour disputes in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. NUPENG’s alert about the impersonators adds another layer of complexity, as the union seeks to protect its members and preserve its legitimacy. Stakeholders and the public will be watching closely to see how security agencies respond to NUPENG’s call for action and how the situation evolves.
Comments are closed for this story.