NUPENG Warns Against Fake ‘PTD Elders’, Accuses Capitalist Agents of Plotting to Destabilize Union, Calls for Immediate Arrests

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has issued a strong warning to the public, media, and security agencies over the activities of faceless individuals and groups impersonating leaders of its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch.

In a statement released on Saturday, September 27, 2025, the union described the impostors as “paid agents of unscrupulous capitalists” bent on sowing discord and destabilizing its operations.

“These individuals are paid agents of unconscionable capitalists with filthy wealth, working to destabilize NUPENG and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch,” the statement read. “Their aim is to create confusion, blackmail, and manipulate the public for the sake of destabilizing our union.”

NUPENG alleged that the perpetrators have been engaging in blackmail, misinformation, and manipulation, tactics it said had long been used but are now escalating amid ongoing legal battles.

The union noted that the impostors are already facing criminal charges before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for alleged violent attacks on its leadership on November 1, 2023. It vowed to crush all attempts to undermine its structure, declaring that it would “exterminate these evil machinations and missions that want to exterminate NUPENG at all costs.”

Reaffirming the legitimate leadership of the PTD branch, NUPENG named Comrade Augustine Egbon as the duly elected National Chairman. It dismissed any unrecognized groups parading themselves as “PTD Elders” or “PTD leaders,” insisting such entities are fraudulent and criminal in intent.

“All legitimate engagements with the PTD branch must be conducted exclusively through the officially recognized office led by Comrade Egbon,” the union emphasized.

The union also disclosed that it has recently been dragged into lawsuits by major industry players, including Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals Free Zone Enterprise and MRS Oil Nigeria Limited. To defend its interests, NUPENG said it has engaged a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana.

“Unconscionable employers have no right to sue NUPENG who toil to defend,” the statement asserted.

NUPENG directed its warning to key stakeholders:

“This press release serves as a final warning to these faceless individuals to CEASE AND DESIST all their illegal activities immediately,” the union warned. “NUPENG will not hesitate to pursue every legal and industrial avenue to protect the integrity of our Union and the interests of our members and the public.”

The statement was jointly signed by NUPENG National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale.