By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has maintained that Augustine Egbon is not the valid national chairman of the Branch, stressing that Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Yusuf Garga, remain the Chairman and 1st Deputy National Chairman chairman of the union as recognized by law.

The Oil and Gas Union also reiterated that Comrade (Dr) Humble Obinna Power is their National Secretary as recognized by the extant rules and convention. It added that it was shameful to see that the illegal faction Egbon claimed to lead couldn’t even recognize him as their chairman in the minute of their meeting, noting that the group lacked legitimacy and coordination.

The union, which described Egbon as an impostor added that he cannot assume leadership position of the Branch through the back door or on the basis of Lagos kangaroo election which was an outright product of court contempt, calling it also an effort in futility.

In a chat with journalists by an elder in the PTD Branch of NUPENG in Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP), on the sidelines of a National Executive Branch Meeting held in Calabar on Saturday, September 28, 2024, he described as ridiculous the refusal of NUPENG leadership to follow due process, court orders and the path of peace to advance the union in positive direction.

“I am deeply happy to see you journalists here today and I must say thank you for honoring our call. You can also see that the crowd here is massive which reflects that Comrade Osesua is the authentic national chairman of PTD, I’m sure you also saw our 1st and 2nd Deputy National Chairmen, Comrades Dayyabu Garga and Peter Muodebelu (Onwa), our National Secretary, Comrade Dr Humble Obinna Power and other National, Zonal and Unit Executives. This is a reflection of acceptability by our members and a validation of legitimacy. There is one National Chairman accepted, and loved by the majority of PTD members, and that person is Lucky Osesua.

“We learnt that Augustine Egbon held a shambolic National Executive meeting too, which didn’t gain any traction, it was a show of shame for the President and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale of NUPENG who were financially induced to attend the meeting, only to see a very low turnout. Not only that, the illegal faction Augustine Egbon claimed to be leading couldn’t even recognize him as their national chairman in the highlights of the minute of their meeting which was signed by one Ibrahim Yahaya Abdulrahman, the letters of the minute described Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti as the national chairman, a man whose tenure expired many years back. This is an indication that Egbon’s group outrightly lost legitimacy and coordination. It’s also a validation to the fact that God has destroyed their government and as well exposed their evil plot and put them all to shame.

“As you can see our meeting built its strength on topical industrial and union matters, it also sought to assess our progress and set fresh objectives for tanker drivers with timelines; we also placed our interest on how to engender unity and cooperation among our numerous registered and legitimate members. We also consider reviewing our primary objectives as Tanker drivers, which include, 1. Protect workers’ rights and interest, 2. Improve working conditions and safety, 3. Negotiate fair wages and benefits, 4. Enhance job security and stability, 5. Promote collective bargaining, amongst others.

“On the issue of health and safety, we expanded our focus on how to reduce workplace accidents and injuries, improve emergency response procedures and safety, enhance occupational health monitoring, foster positive relationships with management and ensure fair treatment and representation. We also spoke on pending issues in courts and the success we’ve recorded so far and other matters which I am not permitted to reveal because of their sensitive nature”, Comrade Joseph stated.