Nationwide Protest Gains Momentum As Petroleum Tanker Drivers Speak-Out And Set To Join Protest

Nationwide Protest Gains Momentum As Petroleum Tanker Drivers Speak-Out And Set To Join Protest

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has stated that they have no intention of striking or supporting the nationwide protest planned by some Nigerian youths on August 1.

The National Chairman of PTD-NUPENG, Comrade Augustine Egbon, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing concern about attempts by certain individuals to infiltrate the union and promote the planned protest.

Egbon’s statement came in response to an online report by Comrade Olaitan Idris, a purported union member, who claimed that an industrial crisis was looming.

Idris alleged that the recent special delegates’ conference in Lagos, where Comrades Augustine Egbon and Oluchi Chinagorom were elected as national chairman and national secretary, respectively, lacked the backing of most union members.

Comrade Egbon dismissed Idris’s claims as unfounded and inaccurate. He emphasized that the Lagos election was well-attended, with delegates from all PTD-NUPENG zones and 150 units, and was observed by Federal Ministry of Labour representatives.

Egbon called on security agencies to question Comrade Idris, suggesting that he was being manipulated by those organizing the August protest.

He urged the public to ignore rumors of a strike by PTD-NUPENG, stating that those spreading such claims were aligned with the protest organizers.

Egbon said, “There is no truth in the claims made by the so-called Comrade Idris, who asserts to be a member of the union. We do not recognise him in any of our units.

“Nigerians should disregard rumours of a strike by our union. Those making such claims are aligned with the planners of the August protest.”

Egbon reaffirmed that PTD-NUPENG, under his leadership, has no plans to strike and called on the federal government to address those making strike threats during this critical period for the industry.

Similarly, NUPENG President, Prince Williams Akporeha refuted the allegations and urged the media to avoid amplifying the voices of those seeking to disrupt order and undermine legitimate authority.

Akporeha stated, “All genuine members of PTD are happy with their new leaders and have moved on. We advise Nigerians especially the government to ignore those claiming tanker drivers are planning to protest.

“They are unpatriotic elements working for those planning to inflict more hardship on Nigerians. We also advise our media friends to always verify suspicious reports to avoid falling into the hands of disgruntled elements looking for public space to propagate their evil agenda.”