The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has responded to recent claims about a supposed impending protest by tanker drivers. The Union has clarified that no such protest is being planned by the genuine members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) across the country. According to NUPENG, the individuals making these claims are not legitimate members of PTD or NUPENG. Instead, they are believed to be working for economic saboteurs who are disguising themselves as tanker drivers to create unrest.
The confusion seems to have arisen from an allegation made by one Mr. Olaitan Idris. Mr. Idris claimed that there is a significant protest brewing among PTD members due to dissatisfaction with the recent election that led to Augustine Egbon being elected as the National Chairman of PTD. Mr. Idris described this election process as “fake” and suggested that it had not been conducted properly.
In response to these allegations, Prince Williams Akporeha, the President of NUPENG, has strongly advised both the government and the public to disregard these claims. He emphasized that the supposed protest is not backed by any authentic PTD members. Instead, it is believed to be a ploy by individuals who wish to undermine the smooth operation of the petroleum industry in Nigeria by spreading false information and creating unnecessary tension.
Akporeha further cautioned the media to be vigilant against disgruntled elements who might use these claims to advance their own agendas. He highlighted that the election that brought Augustine Egbon into leadership was conducted in accordance with the directives of the National Industrial Court (NIC). The election took place on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, as part of a Special Delegates Conference (SDC) mandated by the NIC.
The election was conducted at Funplex Event Centre, located near CMD village in Lagos. The Federal Government, through the Registrar of Trade Unions, was represented at the event. The election process was transparent and widely covered by both print and electronic media. During the election, not only was Augustine Egbon elected as the National Chairman, but 15 other individuals were also elected to various positions representing different PTD zones in Kaduna, Warri, Lagos, and Port Harcourt. Approximately 570 delegates attended the election, which was conducted through an open ballot system. While many positions were unopposed, the positions that were contested did not see the challengers show up after being cleared by the electoral committee, which was set up in accordance with the court’s directives.
Prince Williams Akporeha assured that all genuine members of PTD are satisfied with the results of the election and have accepted their new leadership. He urged Nigerians and the government to ignore the baseless claims of a protest. According to him, these claims are being propagated by unpatriotic individuals who are attempting to cause further hardship for Nigerians.
Furthermore, Akporeha advised media professionals to always verify the authenticity of such reports before disseminating them. This precaution is important to avoid falling victim to false narratives spread by those with ulterior motives.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Solomon Kilanko, also spoke during the election process. He reaffirmed that the SDC was conducted in line with the judgment from the NIC’s Abuja Division. This judgment had previously nullified the earlier PTD election. Kilanko noted that the NIC’s ruling required that the new election be inclusive and non-discriminatory. He assured that the list of delegates eligible to vote in this election was the same as the one used for the previous election held on October 31, 2023, in Ibadan. This measure was taken to ensure that any members suspended after the previous election were allowed to participate in the current one.
In summary, NUPENG has firmly stated that the allegations of a looming protest by tanker drivers are unfounded and driven by individuals with agendas contrary to the interests of the PTD and the petroleum industry. The Union has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in its operations and has called on all stakeholders, including the media, to support these efforts by resisting attempts to spread misinformation.
