NUPENG declares Oshiomhole persona non grata over remarks on PENGASSAN strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says it will no longer participate in any labour-related event involving Adams Oshiomhole.

This is as a result of his comments on the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote refinery.

Oshiomhole, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had in an interview with Arise TV on October 3 criticised PENGASSAN for escalating its disagreement with the refinery into a nationwide shutdown.

He described the union’s action as hasty and unfair to other workers.

In a statement signed by Williams Akporeha, NUPENG president, and Afolabi Olawale, general secretary, the union expressed disappointment, describing Oshiomhole’s position as a “betrayal of labour principles.”

NUPENG said Oshiomhole has been declared persona non grata among oil and gas workers for “undistinguished denunciation” of PENGASSAN’s strike over the alleged unjust dismissal of 800 engineers by the Dangote refinery.

“The practical effect of our declaring Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata is that henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring him.

“The NLC, TUC and civil society organisations should kindly take notice,” the statement said.

The union accused Oshiomhole of transforming from a labour advocate to a defender of corporate excesses.

“We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now campaigning against the very rights he once championed.

“His attempt to justify the victimisation of workers for exercising their rights is a flagrant misrepresentation of Nigerian labour law and ILO conventions,” NUPENG said.

The union said Oshiomhole ignored the sacking of over 800 employees while criticising PENGASSAN’s solidarity strike.

“His argument about harming the wider economy is the same excuse used by every anti-labour entity he once fought against,” NUPENG added.

The group reaffirmed its support for PENGASSAN, vowing to use every legal and industrial instrument to seek justice for the affected workers.

NUPENG also advised Oshiomhole to stop commenting on labour issues, saying he has “irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers.”