The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have intensified pressure on the President and General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, calling for their immediate resignation to restore stability and credibility in the union.
In a statement released on Sunday, September 21, 2025, PTD elders and stakeholders from key zones, including Kaduna, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, criticized the NUPENG leadership for a series of alleged misdeeds. They accused the union bosses of intimidation, harassment, and diversion of union resources, claiming that their actions violated union rules and compromised human dignity.
The drivers rejected claims that Dangote Refinery had barred them from joining the union, labeling such allegations as “lies from the pit of hell.” PTD argued that the union leadership has been using members as tools against the federal government, particularly targeting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other stakeholders in the petroleum industry.
According to the statement, Alkporeha and Olawale failed to acknowledge Dangote Refinery’s contributions, including its 650,000 bpd capacity and logistics infrastructure, which the drivers say has created over 40,000 jobs and maintained stable product supply. PTD further urged the federal government to increase tariffs on fuel imports, support local refining, and consider nationalizing oil wells to revitalize dormant sites.
The stakeholders also accused the NUPENG leaders of collecting illegal levies, flouting court orders, and engaging in personal enrichment. They warned that if allowed to remain in office, the duo could drag the union into local and international disgrace. The PTD appealed to law enforcement, regulators, civil society, and the media to back efforts to re-engineer the union and remove the leadership.
Highlighting internal grievances, PTD described Akporeha and Olawale as self-serving, often prioritizing personal indulgences over the welfare of union members. The statement praised current interim leaders, including Comrade Lucky Osesua, for curbing harassment and promoting transparency.
Finally, the drivers called on NUPENG members nationwide to unite against “economic saboteurs” and ensure that the union supports deregulation, energy efficiency, and sustainable development in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the United Nations SDGs. They emphasized that Dangote Refinery’s achievements should be celebrated and that NUPENG must focus on protecting members’ interests rather than personal agendas.
