NUPENG Alerts Public Over Infiltrators, Disowns “PTD Elders,” Demands Arrest of Culprits

By our Correspondent

Amid its ongoing rift with the management of Dangote Refinery, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised alarm over attempts by a group to destabilize its ranks through the creation of a fictitious forum known as “Elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.”

The Union’s National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, issued a press statement on Sunday night warning against the activities of the faceless group.

According to NUPENG, the so-called “PTD Elders” is unknown to its Constitution and was sponsored by “unconscionable capitalists with filthy wealth” seeking to deceive, manipulate, mislead, and cause confusion in the oil and gas sector as well as the wider public.

The Union urged the public and the media to disregard the fraudulent group, insisting it was illegitimate and acting with criminal intent. It further reaffirmed that the only constitutionally recognized National Chairman of PTD-NUPENG is Comrade Augustine Egbon.

The statement partly read:

> “The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) issues this stern warning to stakeholders, security agencies, the media, and the general public regarding the criminal and fraudulent activities of faceless groups impersonating leaders and elders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG.

“These individuals, parading themselves as ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders,’ are paid agents of unscrupulous capitalists seeking to destabilize NUPENG and mislead the public. Their activities are fraudulent, illegitimate, and criminal in nature.”

NUPENG recalled previous attacks on its leadership, including the violent assault in Abuja on November 1, 2023, for which perpetrators are already facing trial at the FCT High Court. It described the latest impersonation as part of a long-running campaign to weaken and destroy the Union.

Reiterating its stand, NUPENG declared that:

The only recognized executive of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch is led by Comrade Augustine Egbon.

There is no constitutional provision for any group known as “PTD Elders” or “PTD Leaders.”

Any person or group parading under such a name should be regarded as fraudulent and criminal.

The Union further directed:

General Public and Media: Ignore and reject any directives or communications from persons claiming to represent “PTD Elders.”

Stakeholders: Engage only with the legitimate PTD leadership under Comrade Augustine Egbon.

Security Agencies: Arrest and prosecute all those impersonating PTD leadership to face the full weight of the law.