The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that they do not intend to participate in or support the nationwide protest organized by some Nigerian youths for August 1.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Comrade Augustine Egbon, the National Chairman of PTD-NUPENG, expressed concerns about attempts by certain individuals to infiltrate the union and promote the planned protest.
Egbon’s statement was in response to an online report by Comrade Olaitan Idris, who claimed an industrial crisis was imminent. Idris alleged that the recent special delegates’ conference in Lagos, where Comrades Augustine Egbon and Oluchi Chinagorom were elected as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, lacked the backing of most union members.
Comrade Egbon dismissed Idris’s claims as unfounded and inaccurate. He emphasized that the Lagos election was well-attended by delegates from all PTD-NUPENG zones and 150 units and was observed by representatives from the Federal Ministry of Labour.
Egbon called on security agencies to question Comrade Idris, suggesting he was being manipulated by those organizing the August protest. He urged the public to ignore rumors of a strike by PTD-NUPENG, stating that those spreading such claims were aligned with the protest organizers.
“There is no truth in the claims made by the so-called Comrade Idris, who asserts to be a member of the union. We do not recognize him in any of our units,” Egbon said. “Nigerians should disregard rumors of a strike by our union. Those making such claims are aligned with the planners of the August protest.”
Egbon reaffirmed that PTD-NUPENG, under his leadership, has no plans to strike and called on the federal government to address those making strike threats during this critical period for the industry.
Similarly, NUPENG President, Prince Williams Akporeha, refuted the allegations and urged the media to avoid amplifying the voices of those seeking to disrupt order and undermine legitimate authority.
“All genuine members of PTD are happy with their new leaders and have moved on. We advise Nigerians, especially the government, to ignore those claiming tanker drivers are planning to protest,” Akporeha stated. “They are unpatriotic elements working for those planning to inflict more hardship on Nigerians. We also advise our media friends to always verify suspicious reports to avoid falling into the hands of disgruntled elements looking for public space to propagate their evil agenda.”
News Editor