The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has raised the alarm over the activities of impostors allegedly posing as leaders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the union under the banner of “PTD Elders” or “PTD Leaders.”
In a statement, NUPENG described the individuals as “faceless groups” bent on deceiving the public and destabilising the union. It alleged the groups were being sponsored by “unconscionable capitalists” to blackmail and manipulate stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
“For the records, the only recognised and constitutionally elected Executive of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG is the leadership led by Comrade Augustine Egbon as its National Chairman,” the union said. “There is no group within the PTD known as ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders’.”
NUPENG warned the public, media, and industry stakeholders to disregard any communications or directives from the purported group and to engage only with the officially recognised PTD leadership.
The union also called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to immediately identify, arrest and prosecute those involved in the impersonation.
NUPENG noted that it was already involved in litigation with major oil companies and had the constitutional right to hire its own legal team, led by Femi Falana (SAN). It said its detractors had no authority to interfere with its choice of counsel.
“This press release serves as a final warning to these faceless individuals to cease and desist all illegal activities immediately,” the statement read, adding that NUPENG would take all legal and industrial measures to protect its integrity and the interests of its members.
