By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, has urged the general public as well as Nigerians to disregard false information making the rounds about its legitimate Chairman of PTD, Comrade Lucky Osesua and its Vice Chairman, Comrade Dayyabu Garga and other executives of the union.
The PTD in a statement, said some disgruntled members have gathered to lay false claims of its administrative officers, hence, urging the general public to once again disregard the claims.
They said, “The public is hereby implored to disregard false information about the legitimate Chairman of PTD, Comrade Lucky Osighe Osesua, Vice Chairman, Comrade Dayyabu Garga and other executives of our union.
“It has come to our hearing that some members of the PTD who constituted themselves to be nuisance, are laying false claims to the offices of the administrative officers of PTD and going about, spoiling their names, misinforming the security agencies, state actors, the general public and other executives of the union.
“The truth of the matter is the validly elected officers and their supporters are currently in court questioning their legality and authenticity of court being elected as administrative officers of the union.
“The validly elected officers and their supporters who are currently in court using all Legal means to stop their illegal and unlawful act are being harassed and intimidated using the officers and men of the police force to invite and detain the lawful members.
“There are various activities being carried out by this group, such as: interfering into zonal and units elections, installing Caretaker executives in the zones, forcefully removing any loyal member to Lucky Osighe and his group.
“This action is deliberate to cause breakdown of law and order and also breach of public peace. The security agencies are to play neutral roles in this matter and not to intimidate any group as the matter is before the court of law.
“The threat to the members is to cause breach of peace and security and try to hold them responsible.”
In a letter dated 23rd February 2024, the PTD through its lawyer, Enenche Ekoja Esq. Had written to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), PHRC Live Camp, Alesa, Eleme, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on a “Notice of a Likely Breach of Peace and Security by Self-Acclaimed New Executives of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Planning an Illegal Election Within the Jurisdiction of the Above Address.”
The letter read in part: “We therefore bring to your notice that our clients who are the lawful executives and validly elected to the offices of executives of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers have nothing to do with plans of the above mentioned persons and therefore should not be held responsible for their act in any form.
“Our clients include: Com. Lucky Osighe Osesua (JP), Com. Humble Obinna Power, Com. Dayyabu Garga, Com. Akinolu Olabisi, Com. Tiamiy Sikiru, Com. Abdulmumin Shaibu, Com. John Amajuoyi, Com. Zaira Aregbo, Com. Patrick Erhuwor.
“Others are: Com. Stephen Oruma Ogheneruemu, Com. Gift Oyibo Ukponku, Com. Sunday Ezeocha, Com. Sylvanus Idanwkhai, Com. Solomon Obebeduo, Com. Odoemdam Newman, Com. Daniel Akpoboro, Com. Henry Effiom, Com. Adamu Ibrahim and Com. Francis Onumiwu.
“We therefore call on your office to accord our clients all necessary protection and assistance to avoid them being intimidated by the self- acclaimed executives as our clients go about their lawful business.
“We wish to inform your office too that the issue of the operation of the above persons posing as Executives of Petroleum Tanker Drivers is already before the court and they ought not to carry out any activity on behalf of the union pending the determination of the court and therefore should not be allowed to conduct any election within your domain.”