NUPENG Blasts Oshiomhole Over Comments on Dangote Refinery Dispute — Says Former NLC President’s Position is Anti-Workers

By our Correspondent

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has criticized the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, over his recent comments on the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of the Dangote Refinery.

Speaking on Arise TV last Friday, Senator Oshiomhole faulted the industrial action embarked upon by PENGASSAN, which led to a nationwide shutdown of oil facilities. He described the strike as hasty and unfair to other workers, stressing that while unions have the right to defend their members, they must do so in ways that do not worsen economic hardship.

“I think that in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the jobs of several other workers. When you are pursuing a dispute, the tools you deploy must be such that they do not undermine other people’s jobs,” Oshiomhole said.

However, in a strongly worded statement signed by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the union expressed deep disappointment over Senator Oshiomhole’s remarks, describing them as a betrayal of labour ideals and a distortion of established laws.

“We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression, actively campaigning against the very rights he once championed. His attempts to rationalize the victimization of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are nauseating and represent a gross misrepresentation of Nigerian Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions,” the statement read.

In the release titled “Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole’s Undistinguished Anti-Worker Vitriol,” NUPENG accused the senator of turning a blind eye to the alleged sack of over 800 workers by Dangote Refinery, choosing instead to criticize PENGASSAN’s method of protest.

“Adams Oshiomhole’s criticism of PENGASSAN’s strike is an act of profound historical revisionism and political amnesia. Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, LFN 2004, legally recognizes trade disputes, including industrial actions undertaken in solidarity with another group. PENGASSAN’s solidarity action with their members at Dangote Refinery is, therefore, a protected legal action,” the union declared.

NUPENG further stressed that the principle of “an injury to one is an injury to all” remains a global cornerstone of trade unionism, lamenting that Oshiomhole’s current stance aligns him with the same anti-labour forces he once fought against.

“Shockingly, this was a man that served several times in the Governing Council of the ILO and on the Committee on Application of Standards that receives reports on violations of workers’ rights across the world. It is unfortunate that Senator Adams Oshiomhole has, by his comments, demonstrated monumental ignorance of trade unionism,” the statement added.

The union also announced that it would no longer participate in any labour-related event featuring Senator Oshiomhole.

“In conclusion, NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of Nigerian oil and gas workers for his undistinguished denunciation of PENGASSAN’s strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers. Henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole. The NLC, TUC, and other civil society organisations should take note,” the statement said.

Condemning Oshiomhole’s comments as “a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class,” NUPENG reaffirmed its solidarity with PENGASSAN and the dismissed workers.

“The undistinguished position of Adams Oshiomhole on the PENGASSAN strike qualifies him as the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism. What a monumental betrayal of the working class! We advise Senator Oshiomhole to retire from commenting on labour matters, as he has irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers, especially those in the oil and gas sector,” NUPENG concluded.