The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata in the Nigerian oil and gas labour community following his public criticism of a recent industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The decision stems from remarks made by Oshiomhole, a former labour leader and current senator representing Edo North, during an October 3 interview on Arise TV, in which he condemned PENGASSAN’s decision to escalate a dispute with Dangote Refinery into a nationwide shutdown of oil facilities. He described the strike action as “hasty” and “unfair” to other workers.
In a strongly worded statement signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, the union expressed deep disappointment and accused Oshiomhole of abandoning the very principles of labour activism he once championed.
“Betrayal of Labour Values” – NUPENG Fires Back
“We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression,” NUPENG stated.
The union criticised Oshiomhole for failing to address the sack of over 800 engineers by Dangote Refinery, an action PENGASSAN described as victimisation for union activities and instead choosing to condemn the workers’ response.
“His attempts to rationalise the victimisation of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are nauseating,” the statement said, citing violations of Nigerian labour law and ILO conventions.
NUPENG formally declared the senator persona non grata within the oil and gas labour community, pledging not to participate in any event or forum where he is present.
“We will not lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole. The NLC, TUC, and conscionable civil society organisations should take note,” the union warned.
Legal Grounds for PENGASSAN’s Action
NUPENG defended PENGASSAN’s solidarity strike under Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, LFN 2004, which recognises sympathy industrial action as a lawful trade dispute.
“The principle that an injury to one is an injury to all is the foundational ethic of trade unionism globally,” the union said.
Call for Oshiomhole to Exit Labour Commentary
The statement urged Oshiomhole to cease further commentary on labour matters, stating he has “irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers.”
NUPENG reaffirmed its solidarity with PENGASSAN and the dismissed workers, vowing to use all legal and industrial tools to ensure justice is served.
Background:
PENGASSAN had embarked on a nationwide shutdown of oil installations over the alleged unjust sack of 800 workers at Dangote’s multi-billion-dollar refinery project. The move drew sharp criticism from Senator Oshiomhole, who warned the action could hurt Nigeria’s economy.
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