The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has denounced a group parading itself as “PTD-Elders”, describing them as impostors, fraudsters, and paid agents of capitalist interests.

In a joint statement on Sunday, NUPENG’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, insisted that the so-called elders are unknown to the union’s constitution and exist solely to confuse within the oil and gas sector.

“There is no known or recognised group within the PTD-NUPENG called ‘PTD Elders’ or ‘PTD Leaders’. The ONLY constitutionally elected leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch is under Comrade Augustine Egbon,” the union stated.

NUPENG’s Stern Warning

The union accused the group of operating with criminal intent, manipulating the public, and attempting to destabilise NUPENG from within.

According to the statement, the faceless group is agents of “unconscionable capitalists” who amassed wealth through the exploitation of workers while denying them the right to unionise.

NUPENG urged security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the DSS, to immediately arrest and prosecute anyone associated with the impersonators.

The development comes amid heightened labour unrest in the oil and gas sector. Recently, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) declared a nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery after the company allegedly sacked over 800 workers for joining the union.

The strike directive ordered members to halt gas and crude supplies to the refinery, prompting Dangote to accuse the union of economic sabotage.