The Caretaker Chairman of a gaggle often known as “Justice Forum” comprising of leaders of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG, South South Zone, Comrade Praise Ogidi-King on behalf of his group has accused the mum or dad Union of being “economical with facts” amid the continuing disaster throughout the Oil and Gas Union.
Comrade Ogidi-King additionally expressed doubts that the Union might conduct free and truthful elections within the forthcoming Unit and Zonal elections of each the PTD Branch and the Parent Union (NUPENG). He additionally cited a number of infractions considered one of which was disenfranchisement of a number of stakeholders who’re prepared to participate within the deliberate electoral workout routines.
The assertion signed by the pinnacle of “Justice Forum” on Friday February 27, 2026 comes on the heels of alleged manipulations and treacherous tendencies of the General Secretary of NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale and the stooges he planted on the Branch degree, who’re bent on subverting the desire of the individuals to fulfill their very own pecuniary positive factors.
Comrade Ogidi-King’s assertion which he made accessible to newsmen reads in elements: “The present National management of NUPENG has through the years been economical with information, and this isn’t good however very harmful for the expansion and success of the Union. We don’t need the repeat of what led to the present disaster in PTD and we wish stakeholders within the trade to wade in to keep away from a much bigger disaster it might additional convey to the Union.
“We can recall clearly how the July 3, 2024 “Kangaroo exercise” was performed which continues to be being challenged within the National Industrial Court Abuja, because it went in opposition to the judgment of the National Industrial Court of May 29, 2024. The PTD faction had held parallel elections to pick the Union’s nationwide executives with the persistent declare that NUPENG’s election pointers favored their (NUPENG) most well-liked candidates and was by no means all-inclusive and nondiscriminatory.
“These shenanigans should cease, PTD and NUPENG aren’t enterprise empires to anybody subsequently these saddled with management tasks ought to conduct themselves according to constitutional provisions laid down by its founding fathers of the Union. The world is watching us on a regular basis, we have to set good examples and as nicely be respectable and God-fearing in our engagements particularly within the processes of how leaders emerge within the Union whether or not at Unit, Zonal or National degree. Enough is sufficient.
Ogidi questioned NUPENG and PTD’s capability to conduct unbiased elections, including: “So, how do you think that NUPENG as presently constituted can conduct any election again in this Union that will not be biased?” The one they performed in 2022 was nullified in 2023, the election of thirty first October 2023 was nullified on May twenty ninth 2024; and one other election performed by NUPENG management on third July 2024 continues to be pending earlier than Hon Justice Anuwe of the National Industrial Court Abuja; that’s gross incompetence.
He additional warned that the “Justice Forum” might take the matter worldwide, emphasizing: “You cannot frustrate your check-off-due paying and card carrying members in favour of some selected few, who will only be subservient to you. It is against democracy and ILO extant rules; NUPENG and its surrogates cannot destroy the Union that has been in existence and relevance for almost 50 years.”
Comrade Ogidi-King’s assertion underscores the rising rigidity between varied factions in PTD in addition to the unlawful expulsion of some key union executives in NUPENG, significantly the National Treasurer, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, and the Porr Harcourt Zonal Chairman, Comrade Mina Samuel, and others amid ongoing authorized and political disputes over Union management which is even Subjudice within the eye of the legislation.
“It is really ridiculous that a Union like NUPENG will flagrantly refuse to give out forms to some Comrades for the proposed NUPENG Unit and Zonal elections. Worst still, they are giving forms to PTD Unit Chairmen to gather information about members and their National Identification Numbers (NIN). These sets of power-drunk leaders have surrounded the Unit and Zonal elections with a lot of controversies and secrecy more than joining a demonic secret cult. So sad, so disheartening. We therefore urge stakeholders in the industry including law enforcement agents like the Police and DSS to come to the aid of the Union before the exacerbating situation ruins the Union and puts it into extinction,” Ogidi-King added.
