NUPENG Declares Oshiomhole Persona Non Grata Over Remarks on PENGASSAN Strike

NUPENG Declares Oshiomhole Persona Non Grata Over Comments on PENGASSAN Strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, persona non grata over his recent criticism of the PENGASSAN strike action against the Dangote Refinery.

Oshiomhole, during an interview on Arise Television last Friday, had described the strike led by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) as “ill-considered,” urging labour unions to allow new investors like Aliko Dangote time to stabilise before facing industrial action.

“An employer has to exist, mature, and be strong enough to guarantee good-paying jobs,” Oshiomhole said. “If you cripple a business before it even finds its feet, you are also destroying the jobs you claim to protect.”

He added that strikes should not affect “innocent people like tomato sellers who can’t get fuel to move their goods.”

In a strongly worded statement signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Olawale Afolabi, the union condemned Oshiomhole’s remarks as a betrayal of the labour movement’s core principles.

“The leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of Nigerian oil and gas workers,” the statement said, accusing him of denouncing a legitimate strike against the unjustified sacking of 800 engineers for exercising their right to unionise.

NUPENG stated that Oshiomhole will no longer be recognised or allowed to participate in any of its activities or programmes: “Henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole.”

The union also called on the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other civil society organisations to take note of what it described as Oshiomhole’s “betrayal of the working class.”

“His undistinguished position on the PENGASSAN strike qualifies him as the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism,” NUPENG said, adding that his comments were “a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class.”

The union further advised Oshiomhole to “retire from commenting on labour matters,” stating that he has “irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy” among Nigerian workers, particularly those in the oil and gas sector.

The controversy centres around PENGASSAN’s recent strike action, which was suspended last Wednesday, following the alleged unjust dismissal of over 800 engineers by the Dangote Refinery.