The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) under the leadership of Comrade Lucky Osesua has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis bedeviling the union, noting that it was in the interest of the nation.
The call was contained in a press statement by an elder of the Union from Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Joseph Dagogo-Jack (JP) on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
The union leader took a swipe at the parent body for intimidating its members through security agents contrary to their fundamental human rights which affords them constitutional right to freely associate or assemble.
It also hailed the judiciary for remaining consistent in the discharge of its constitutional duty as the last hope of the common man, saying, “The victory handed down to NUPENG National Vice President, Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Lucky Etuokwu by the Federal High Court is a reflection that God has put a stop to godfatherism, intimidation and oppression in NUPENG.
It also hailed the judiciary for remaining consistent in the discharge of its constitutional duty as the last hope of the common man, saying, “The victory handed down to NUPENG Vice President, Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Lucky Etuokwu by the Court is a reflection that God has put a total stop to godfatherism, intimidation and oppression in NUPENG. We are pleased to hear that the Court has set aside the suspension of Comrade Etuokwu and perpetually restrain NUPENG and its national leadership at the Jibowu, Lagos secretariat from suspending him or infringing on his fundamental right, it even went further instructing NUPENG to pay him the sum of N1,000,000 as damages.
“PTD feel elated not just because of this victory but about how the judiciary held onto the point of law and ensured justice in all the matters brought before it. The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. They were threatened, they were called names, they were intimidated, but the judiciary has held onto the point of law.”
PTD however accused NUPENG for flagrantly engaging in contempt of Court and using sentiments to foist their illegal leadership on the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry as a fait accompli.
While seeking President Tinubu’s intervention, the union leader said, “We have seen strong leadership in President Bola Tinubu when he called on political gladiators in Rivers State to obey the rule of law which according to him will bring lasting peace in the State, in the same spirit, we also want His Excellency, a listening and labour-friendly President, to, in the interest of peace and industrial harmony intervene in this very disturbing and ridiculous situation by recognizing the legitimacy of PTD National Executives under the leadership of Comrade Lucky Osesua, his two deputies Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga, Comrade (Chief) Peter Moudebelu (Onwa) and the National Secretary, Comrade Dr Humble Obinna Power.”
The statement urged the government and other industry stakeholders to relate with Osesua and Garga led PTD as the only legitimate, constitutionally recognised executives of the PTD Branch of NUPENG.
The statement added that “The process that purportedly made Augustine Egbon as factional leader of PTD was flawed with many irregularities, contrary to the judgment of Hon. Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 who ordered a fresh, “all-inclusive and non-discriminatory on any account” election. The saddest thing is that what is currently happening in PTD is worse than the Rivers State crisis. Once again Petroleum Tanker Drivers must be allowed to breathe such that our members could peacefully and conveniently be proud and better for what they are doing as they continue to traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria through distribution and transportation of Petroleum products and supply of gas to Nigerians in their homes, offices and factories.”
PTD however appealed to the Federal Government especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Labour and Employment, and other key players in the industry not to seek legitimacy for National executives of PTD elsewhere except the one led by Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga and others within its leadership folk.
Elder Dagogo-Jack continues, “The stake in PTD, particularly access to administrative, operational and economic incentives and other opportunities cannot be left in the hands of stooges and surrogates who want to steal blindly the common patrimony of PTD under the whimps and caprice of Afolabi Olawale who has personally pocketed the entire union as masterminded by his godfather Comrade Salimon Akanni Oladiti, the National Trustee of NUPENG.
“Above all, PTD is already awake and cannot continue to allow its employees to remain its tormentors and exploiters. The trio of Comrades Afolabi Olawale, Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti and NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha should be called to order before they set the union on the verge of precipice.”