Protesting tanker drivers threaten breakaway from NUPENG

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has issued a stark warning that it might break away from the union.

This threat hinges on the demand for the resignation of NUPENG’s National President, Williams Akporeha, and its General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi.

The PTD’s grievances were outlined in a statement released in Abuja, co-signed by Gbenga Olawale and Adekunle Rufai of the PTD, Ibadan Depot.JAMB Portal

The tanker drivers have expressed their discontent through protests across the country, symbolically placing plant leaves in front of their trucks as a sign of protest.

They have cautioned NUPENG and the police against what they describe as interference and the constant harassment of their leaders.

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Central to their discontent is the allegation that Williams Akporeha, the NUPENG president, lacks the necessary competence to lead the union, primarily because he was not originally a member of the oil sector workforce.

They claim that Akporeha, a former cook in an oil company, was sacked while serving as NUPENG’s national treasurer and was subsequently inducted into the Petrol Station Workers Union of NUPENG to facilitate his candidacy for the presidency. This, according to the PTD, violates NUPENG’s constitution, as Williams was neither a worker nor a pump attendant at the time of his verification for the president’s role.

The PTD also accuses Akporeha of installing allies to divert union revenues for personal use. They expressed solidarity with Lucky Osusan and Dayyab Garaga, whom they credit with efforts to ‘liberate’ them.NYSC PORTAL

In response to these allegations, NUPENG’s secretary, Olawale Afolabi, refuted the claims, stating that the faction making the statement does not represent PTD members. Afolabi revealed that the leaders of this faction were recently arrested and detained in Kuje prison, Abuja, following an attack in Abuja, as ordered by the court.InformationGuideNigeria

This unfolding conflict within NUPENG underscores significant internal disagreements and challenges within the union.

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